The battle over noise
Good neighbours are a blessing, but for Denham Place residents, the loud noise emanating from a neighbouring property, has become a curse.
Much has been written in recent years about the noise generated at student hostels located in Berea’s suburbs. This week’s report on the noise generated at the hostel in Denham Place where students hosted a party on Friday night that went on, loudly and proudly, through to 6am on Saturday morning, is another example of poor planning on the part of city officials, indifference on the part of the landlord, irresponsibility and disrespect on the part of students and a failure in applying city bylaws related to noise by police authorities.
The matter of student residences in residential suburbs is a sensitive one, with both students and neighbouring residents having valid arguments.
The severe lack of suitable accommodation in the city to service the needs of students at tertiary education facilities in the area is without doubt the causing factor, there are simply too many students and not enough official student residences. To service the need, business savvy individuals with an eye on profits have snapped up blocks of flats and made them available for student accommodation, much to the horror of residents who have had the peace and quiet of leafy suburbs shattered by the exuberance of youth. As a parent I know you can’t keep kids quiet and their spontaneity makes them ignorant to the effect their actions may have on those in close proximity.
I feel for those residents who have to put up with loud music, parties that go on into the early hours and the noise that is generated wherever party people gather. It is time the city fathers, as a matter of urgency, apply their minds to formulate an official policy to deal with special consent applications related to student residences. It will require careful planning, open negotiation and public participation. It is not a convenient platform for party politicking in the shadow of looming elections. It is however a good start to forging understanding, respect and tolerance between two generations of our society for the benefit of all. It’s not impossible, it just requires the will to get it done.
