Leyton Orient are set to face a licensing review following complaints from more than 20 local residents about noise pollution stemming from its Brisbane Road stadium, one of England’s oldest football stadiums.
The League One club will appear before Waltham Forest Council on 26th November after neighbours raised concerns about “very loud” music and cheering disrupting their evenings.
Residents’ Noise Concerns
The stadium, which has been home to Leyton Orient since 1937, is licensed to play music until 1:30am. However, residents argue that the frequency and intensity of events have escalated significantly in recent years. In 2022, the club hosted 38 events, but between January and August this year, that figure rose to 67—equating to approximately eight events per month.
Local residents Jonathan and Mette Barker, who requested the licence review, expressed their frustrations in a statement to the council:
“We accept, and always have, that we live by a football stadium and therefore will have noise related to that. However, since 2021, we have endured overwhelming noise pollution as the club has significantly increased noisy activities.”
They added that noise levels during the off-season (January to April) make their homes “almost unbearable to live in.” Other residents reported being able to hear song lyrics through closed windows, with the bass interfering with their ability to watch TV in the evenings.
Proposed Changes to Licensing
Residents are asking for strict conditions to be placed on the club’s licence, including:
- Reducing regulated entertainment hours to 9 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends.
- Limiting events with music to one per month.
- Ensuring all doors and windows remain closed during events where noise is audible outside the premises.
- Installing a noise limiter to prevent sound levels from exceeding acceptable thresholds.
Waltham Forest Council’s environmental protection service has confirmed that noise levels at Brisbane Road constituted a “statutory nuisance” on three separate visits between December 2023 and May 2024. The licensing committee will consider the complaints and proposed changes during the review.
Club’s Response Pending
The O’s has yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, residents hope the review will bring a resolution that balances the club’s activities with the community’s right to peaceful living.
Writer’s View
The tension between Leyton Orient’s growth and its neighbours’ needs highlights the challenges urban football clubs face. While events and music are integral to community engagement, they must be managed responsibly to avoid alienating local residents. A compromise that ensures both the club’s success and the community’s comfort will be crucial to resolving this issue.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
