Lough ‘party house’ so punk the police were called NINE times in one year

A legendary party house is under threat after exasperated council officials tried to prevent it ever housing students again. 

According to the Loughborough Echo, killjoy councillors wanted to take away the notorious residence’s HMO credentials, meaning it would never be allowed to host rowdy Lough undergrads ever again.

Councillor Margaret Smidowicz, who represents Loughborough Nanpantan, told a council meeting the seven-bedroom “party house” at 16 Ambleside Close had not been “well managed” – which is something of an understatement.

Infuriated local residents issued a stream of complaints about their punk behaviour, which have become the stuff of Lough legend

Setting up a trampoline in the driveway, partying and sunbathing on the roof, and having police descend onto the street on nine separate occasions this year were just some of the many complaints heard at a recent council planning meeting.

This is where it all kicked off – 16 Ambleside Close. Photo: Loughborough Echo

Police handed residents of 16 Ambleside Close numerous ASBOs over the course of the year. Often these were later found by their neighbours “crumbled in the street”.

The council planning committee heard about the property’s long history, which had been built in the 1960s and extended on a number of occasions.

An enforcement notice was served by the borough council after they found the house was being used as a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), which means that three or more unrelated people were living there.

One resident told the plans committee the house has caused a “detrimental effect” to the neighbourhood with rubbish, excessive noise, and a trampoline on the front.

Councillors were so appalled by what they heard the committee questioned whether they had the power to strip the applicant of his HMO status, which means no students could occupy the house in the future.

Coun Mark Lowe said: “Why can’t we take the HMO off them?”

Coun Ron Jukes also shared concerns on the way the council’s planning department conducted itself. He said: “The trouble this house has caused I think we should reject it. To live there must be a bloody nightmare. Our enforcement is very weak.”

Coun Brenda Seaton added: “What teeth do we have? If we can give the licence can’t we take it away?”

Officers said  frustrated councillors could not strip the applicant of his HMO as planning permission for a conservatory had already been granted to the property.