DRSA News Update March 14, 2016

Turtle Bay

The new restaurant is now open. Residents will have mixed views about this new complement to the Square. Some are concerned about the noise disturbance that Turtle Bay’s ‘beach party’ pitch might cause to the peace of the Square. Others are however looking forward to a piece of ‘Caribbean spirit’ adding warmth and sunshine to Dalston. Only time will judge how things will work out. The restaurant has however made a rather ‘mixed’ start!

Weary of the potential problems of more kitchen smoke entering the buildings immediately above, a small group of DSRA members were invited last week to look around Turtle Bay’s smoke extraction and filtration system. Billed as a ‘state of the art’ set up, it all certainly looked impressive!  We will see if this ‘eco filter’ stands up to heavy use in the weeks ahead!

Noisy opening event causes nuisance noise

Those residents whose windows and balconies overlook the Square sadly took the full impact of Turtle Bay’s boisterous first-night event last week.

A live Band struck up which could be heard from all corners of the Square. Added to this was some energetic behaviour which as the evening wore on, spilt out onto the Square while residents were settling down for the night. The reports of disturbance were considerable and the concierge service was overwhelmed with calls.  Their team tried to intervene but from all reports the managers were less than cooperative.

It should be said that the band did stop at 11pm but  it  was again frustrating that the  roadies took their time to pack up and the disturbance did not finally abate until after 1. 30 am.

Don’t be a kill joy?

Everyone enjoys a party once in a while. However loud music late at night is nearly always a source of ill feeling for neighbours living in a block of flats. It should be pointed out that our leases state that noise should not be so loud as to be heard beyond the four walls of our homes. The good news is that we have received fewer complaints about noise in recent months.

In the case of Turtle Bay’s party  an effort by the managers to forewarn its many neighbours would have made a difference while also conveying a degree of community spirit too.

The DSRA met with the management the next day. It was told that the event was a ‘one off’ and should not happen again. Sadly, we did not get an apology however.

Residents who feel strongly should ‘log’ their complaint on the Council’s online noise pollution page.

Restaurant Smoke- Gaumont Tower and the Gym.

For those who want an update on the protracted smoke saga…

The smoke emanating from the restaurant kitchens beneath Gaumont Tower continues despite the efforts by the DSRA to get Le Ziz to service and repair its kitchen filters.  The situation in the gym has nevertheless, improved as Barratts have headed The DSRA’s request to install new inward ducting to bing in fresh air from outside the building. This seems to have worked.

The service tunnel behind the restaurant however is still filling with smoke at peak cooking times and we continue to campaign for proper extraction ducting to be retro fitted by Barratt Homes to take the odours and smoke away.  Barratts have consented that this is needed but are awaiting planning consent from the Council.

We have engaged the support of Councillor Peter Snell to help chase this matter up at the ‘highest level’ in the Council. He has done so but progress is slow. We understand, legal measures are to be taken to impose lease agreements on Le Ziz.

We ask residents to keep up the pressure on the smoke pollution by notifying the Council again via their online pollution page.

On a more positive note…

Things are of course by no means all gloomy. The DSRA can claim a long list of achievements and improvements since the Square opened.

As always our work requires activists and so we are always looking for new residents willing to join us in whatever capacity.

If you are Interested and want to meet engaging and interesting neighbours, we would love to hear from you! Contact the Residents Association at dalston.square.com and we will get back.

DSRA committee.