Big wheel invasion of privacy
News Archive > General > Big wheel invasion of privacy
at the elderly residents here.
“I love to go outside, but I can’t while the festival is on because of the unacceptable noise levels and the thud, thud, thud of the music.”
John Boscombe lives on the third floor of the building and could see the big wheel directly outside his window for the weekend’s duration.
He said: “It was not this bad last year, this is the worst it has ever been.
“It’s not neighbourly – they are almost on our property. I can get out and about in my car, but there are a lot of people living here who are housebound.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, commented: “The people on the big wheel can look straight into our bedrooms. It’s almost within touching distance of our windows.”
Organiser Jusin Heasman responded: “It’s ridiculous. Once this has gone, there will be nothing left for the families, and that would be a real shame.
“We put this on for the community, and I don’t make any money from it – all I ask is that we break even.
“There is nothing here that encourages anything bad at all.
“We have had people ranging from six years old to 89, and that included residents from Penhaven Court.”
Cornwall Council environment officer Colin Ransley also denied that there was an issue, saying that the event had to abide by environmental health rules.
He stated: “The event’s noise levels are constrained and monitored by the council. As for the screams, the people were just exercising their right to make noise in a public place.”
Referring to the position of the big wheel, Mr Ransley said: “The wheel’s position was changed mainly because the ground of the Killacourt slopes steeper the further down the hill you go. The operator took particular care that the ride’s seats faced away from people’s windows.
“I do admit that if they occasionally swing around, a person may have an inverted view of the windows – but I cannot for the life of me see this as an invasion of privacy.”
Newquay mayor Cllr Jill Bunt said: “This is a well run event and many residents and visitors alike enjoy the free entertainment that is on offer, but it is obviously of concern to me that some residents are not happy that the event is being held.
“The council will take account of all the feedback following the event in deciding its future approach to events on this public area.”
Councillor Denis Dent added: “The residents of Penhaven Court should be aware, and have always been aware, that they overlook a public place, and if they do not want to have to listen to public events they should not have bought flats such as these.”
