The Town Hall of Guadix has been ordered to pay 15,000 euros in compensation to a local, over excessive noise coming from a nearby bar.

The Town Hall was condemned for its ‘inactivity’ in the affair because, despite repeated complaints made before the Town Hall, the situation was allowed to continue for seven long years. Bear in mind that when the noise is being caused by inconsiderate neighbours there is little that the council can do, (they won’t get involved and suggest that you personally sue the culprits) but if it is being caused by a business premises, it is very easy to take their business licence away.

Although the Councillor for the Tax Office says that the affair is now in the hands of the judicial department of the Town Hall, the actual court sentence makes it clear that the findings cannot be appealed against.

In 2006, for example, it was brought to the Council’s attention that Bar Boabdil had tables out on the pavement obstructing access to people’s apartments and that the noise coming from this location in the early hours of the morning was intolerable.

It wasn’t until the Junta was approached via the provincial Delegate for the Environment, bypassing the Town Hall that the ball began to roll. After receiving a rebuke from the Junta, the Council ordered the Policia Local to keep a close eye on the bar exceeding opening hours, etc. – this was in 2007, but the problem persisted.

(News: Guadix, Altiplano, Granada, Andalucia)