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It appears that just about everyone I speak to in Sotogrande are suffering, as I am, through lack of sleep and peace. Unbelievably, the San Roque council have issued 'After Polo' nightclub a licence to play live music throughout the weeks of July and August. The police have expressed that their nightly telephone communication with Sotogrande residents is a continuous stream of complaints, from said residents. Unfortunately, the police have only a handful of officers available at night to service the whole of San Roque. However, they have been very supportive and have sent officer, after officer, to the premises to try and ensure the level of noise is lowered. Sadly, it makes no difference; the level of sound that echoes to every corner of the neighbourhood far exeeds the legal requirement in a condensed residential area like Sotogrande. (Whilst the European Union's White Paper has conceded that music is not noise - the repercussions of loud, live music does fall into a legal limit)
'Leisure establishments that will work at nighttime will include normalised noise isolation to preserve the residential buildings next to the venue. (In this case 'After Polo' using the Santa Maria Polo Ground) People's access to the establishment must be through a noise proof space with double door enclosure, when there is PA amplification. All night activities venues (as is the case with 'After Polo'). have to comply the next checklist: -Floating floors isolated from the concrete or solid base. -Isolating air chambers all over the walls. -Installation of an isolating ceiling non directly attached to the building structure. -The air conditioning pipelines will not be installed in the space between ceiling and solid structure. All pipes and elements suspended has to be under the isolation ceiling.” At the entrance of the club or venue, there must be free, protective earplugs available.
The licence issued by San Roque Council appears to allow the establishment to continue its business in violation of the European Union's white paper, despite the overall law applicable to sound regulations in Galicia (Spain).
The police have also approached the San Roque council to ask them to reject any forthcoming applications from the venue as its police force is not equipped with enough officers to fairly cope with the exceptionally high number of complaints from Sotogrande residents or indeed the illegal drink and drive cases. I am satisfied that the police are fully supportive, on behalf of the residents in this situation. However, the authorities were very surprised to find that the Sotogrande security teams were not out in force to minimise the outstanding noise caused by the attendees of the venue as they leave the premises at Santa Maria Polo Ground. I am also surprised, as we have not seen a single patrol car pass or approach anyone causing this disturbance.
At the time of moving to Sotogrande, we were assured that the security team constantly patrol the 'resort'. However, this is not the case. When my neighbours have called the security regarding the unbelievable disturbances caused by those leaving the club ; they have referred the caller to Gardia Civil - who have assured us that the matter is that of the Police Local (who, as I have already said, have been as supportive as possible).
The licence issued by San Roque council appears to allow the disruption of peace and quiet for residents within Sotogrande and the surrounding areas (apparently the music has been heard up to 10 km away) between 12 midnight and 5am despite it violating many noise regulations. One can only imagine what it is like if one lives within metres of the blue gates entering the polo fields, on Ave de la Marina, when revellers - who exit the blue gates, shouting, screaming and undeniably disturbing the peace (to which residents in built-up areas are entitled) and continue to 'party' by either standing by their cars on Ave de la Marina, drinking and singing and shouting and, as was the case this morning, removing large quantites of licquor from the trunk of their car and proceed to 'party' in their car before driving off in the vehicles at around 06:00!
This unacceptable situation doesn't just happen once a year or once a month, it is happening night after night, throughout the week. It has now got to the stage where my family, who have to get up at 6.30 each day to prepare for work, and myself are unable to function properly - due to 5 weeks of disrupted sleep whereby we achieve no more than 2 hours of sleep a night.
I just wondered if anyone had knowledge of a petition in circulation, that can be presented to San Roque council to attempt to prevent another year of hell in 2023?
Thank you for your attention, please feel welcome to respond.
