Some of the residents in the Sitges neighbourhood of Carrer Sant Bartomeu, near the area of Carrer Jesús and Cap de la Vila, have complained for three years that they are living in ‘hell’ because of the excessive noise that comes from the terraces of the restaurants located at the town centre end of the street.
Recently, they claim, the situation has become unsustainable, with confrontations and discussions between owners and customers of the restaurants with some of the neighbours, which have led to counter complaints between the neighbours themselves and the venues.
Local authorities say they are aware of the situation. They say that because it is a narrow street, the noise feels louder and it echoes, but they also acknowledge that sometimes there is noise at ‘inopportune hours’. The residents themselves complain about people smoking and chatting at the entrance to their houses and leaving glasses on their window frames.
Eric Nindl, owner of the Gutiziak restaurant, acknowledges that in recent times relations have become strained with some neighbours. ‘We know who calls the local police, but we are also aware that all the activity we carry out is within the allowed hours and that we pay our corresponding licences,’ he said.
Ylenia Gómez, owner of El Noi d’Alcoi, said: ‘We pay for our terrace licence, and there are neighbours who accuse us of creating bottlenecks. This pressure we are suffering is unfair. The town council doesn’t help in this regard and should inform how Carrer Sant Bartomeu works and that the terrace licences are perfectly legal and we pay them.’
The Sitges Town Council has previously facilitated a mediator to try to reconcile positions with the neighbours, and specifically with one who has filed the most complaints, but it was impossible to reach an understanding.
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