Elderly people partying late at wakes causing sleepless nights for Peckham residents

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A day centre for elderly people has been criticised by neighbours who are kept awake by noisy late-night wakes.

Residents say they have suffered regular sleepless nights because of events held at Elimhouse Community Association in Bellenden Road, Peckham.

Southwark council refused an application by the Peckham-based centre to serve booze until 10.30pm at a meeting on July 19 following neighbours’ objections.

The meeting space had wanted to stay open until 11pm seven-days-a-week.

Speaking at a licensing meeting today, a resident, who only gave his name as David, said people coming and leaving the wakes were a nuisance.

He said: “I get disturbed by people arriving to events, leaving events, lingering outside often. I’m a supporter of the centre but we need to find an accommodation that works for the centre and residents.

“This is a very quiet stretch of residential road. These issues are not new. You can see complaints stretching back to 2014. The issues arise from wakes and parties, birthday parties.

“There was an incident last year where they put the speakers outside which was particularly disturbing. Until the centre can demonstrate it can hold events responsibly there shouldn’t be an award given in the licence.”

Daryl Henehan, whose family’s house sits directly next to the centre, said he was kept awake by revellers milling around outside after parties were over.

He said: “We live right next door to Elimhouse. We are impacted from noise by the music, attendees congregating outside after the events.

“Our little daughter goes to bed at 7pm. Even an 11pm closing is quite late given the amount of time it takes to get 180 people out. We don’t think Elimhouse is an appropriate building to have those events.”

But Dave Horner, representing the Elimhouse Community Association, said its events would provide a meeting spot for older people in the area.

He said: “The centre has an ongoing desire to continue to provide licensed activities. The association, which is ran by a charity, does feel that the centre provides a service to the local community, especially the older community.

“The centre hopes to continue with the meetings with the community to discuss and hopefully resolve issues going forward. They are hoping to set-up a system where it [the events] can be run better.”

Elimhouse Community Association will have 21 days to appeal against the decision at magistrates court.

Picture: Elimhouse Community Association in Bellenden Road (Picture: Google Street View)