A huge fireworks display was allegedly held at the venue at 11.30pm (Image: undefined)
Furious residents are calling for action against a ‘nightmare’ wedding venue, The Grand Banqueting Suite in Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, which they claim has been causing them ‘mayhem’ for the past nine years with its noisy music, guests, cars and drums.
The luxurious venue, just metres from over 20 terraced homes, is known for its “Bollywood bling” and hosts lavish wedding ceremonies where guests flaunt their wealth by arriving in rented supercars amongst hundreds of people at their extravagant receptions.
During the summer months – from May to September – the venue holds two ceremonies a day, yet disgruntled neighbours say they have to endure the ‘non-stop’ noise which ‘often’ exceeds its permitted 11pm curfew.
This comes as residents allege that a massive firework display was ignited at 11:30 pm earlier this week by wedding attendees just outside the venue’s walls on a nearby residential street, lasting for over 20 minutes.
Locals also complain about having to tolerate the loud revving of rented supercars, banging ceremonial drums, and large groups lingering outside the venue until midnight for several years.
They even claim that wedding attendees throw rubbish over the walls and into their back gardens.
The establishment which launched in 2015 was initially only permitted to host ceremonies and receptions until 4pm, before Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee made a contentious ruling in 2021 to extend operating hours until 11pm.
However, residents claim the venue regularly breached regulations during that period.
Dozens of locals now say they’ve reached breaking point with the racket emanating from the upmarket Asian wedding venue, which disrupts their ability to sleep and unwind during evening hours, especially after 10pm.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous and has a newborn baby, said: “They are a nuisance and show no consideration to families who live in the house around the venue.
Furious locals slammed noise from the crowd going well past 11pm (Image: undefined)
“I’ve lived here for over 20 years and since 2015 they have been constantly disturbing, pets, disabled people, and children.
“We’ve had supercars showing off and revving really loud past our house for a number of years now.
“Also wedding guests parking outside my house on a number of occasions meaning I have nowhere to park.
“I know people who have moved out because of the noise.
“A couple a few doors down complained and complained but nothing was done.
“If I could pack up and leave I would do too.
“The fireworks were horrendous I mean, the police were called.
“I have a newborn child and she was screaming in fear.
“They kept my other children awake.
“The people on the other side of the fence in the venue were shouting and cheering showing no consideration to the families they are disrupting.
The aftermath of the fireworks (Image: undefined)
“Then when we complain to the council it just falls on deaf ears and nothing happens.”
Another resident, Shanam Ahmed, 37, said: “I’ve been living at this property for a few months.
“I knew there was a wedding venue there when I moved in, but I didn’t think they would be doing them until late, as it is inconsiderate.
“You know people will be working the next day, people have children.
“My cat was quite scared by the fireworks – she was hiding, you know behind furniture.”
Another family who resides with a young child just behind the venue said: “In the evening when people are leaving for curfew at 11 pm, they can stay lingering just talking until late.
“It gets really loud out at that time if there are big weddings going on as large crowds of people all leaving at the same time, talking, shouting, revving car engines.
“It can be a pain if you are trying to relax or sleep – I find it inconsiderate.
“It is a shame as some of the weddings are beautiful.”
A 67-year-old woman, who also wished to remain anonymous, has lived in her house all of her life and says the noise is something she has just had to get “used to”.
She said: “It was frustrating at first, but then I just had to get used to it, there was nothing else I could do.
“When the expensive cars come down the street revving their engines, my house shakes sometimes.
“The engines also make loud bangs.
“I just feel for the kids and the pets.”
The Grand Banqueting Suite launched in 2015 following the purchase of the former working men’s club by current proprietor, Ashiq Hussain in 2010.
Ashiq subsequently dedicated years to converting the space into an opulent “Bollywood bling” Asian wedding destination.
The establishment features a lavish dining hall complete with chandeliers imported from Dubai.
Additional facilities include separate spaces for male and female guests, a bridal suite, and prayer areas.
Residents report that attendees arrive in Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Rolls-Royces, revving their motors within the grounds prior to ceremonies commencing.
Booking the extravagant location requires a minimum of 300 guests – although it accommodates up to 1,400 – at approximately £20 per person.
A huge fireworks display was allegedly held at the venue at 11.30pm (Image: undefined)
However, disputes between locals and the venue commenced in late 2016 when Ashiq petitioned Kirklees Council Planning Inspectorate to extend operating hours from 11am until 11pm daily.
The original consent permitted wedding celebrations only until 4pm.
His request was rejected, yet neighbours claim he ignored the restrictions and continued hosting weddings beyond the 4pm deadline.
Nevertheless, in 2017 a loophole in planning legislation emerged, enabling him to operate beyond the permitted hours despite official warnings against doing so. It was disclosed that Ashiq was only in violation of planning law if Kirklees Council took enforcement action against him – which they had not.
In 2021, Kirklees Council made the contentious decision to allow Ashiq to trade until 11pm despite objections from local residents.
Locals claim the summer period is the “worst” with events occurring daily, but they insist there is disruption throughout the year.
Resident Mr Mughal, 48, who has lived in his house for 23 years, says he is “sick” of the noise.
He stated: “My 23 year old son, who is an electrical engineer, was late to work because of the fireworks – they kept him up all night, and I bet he isn’t the only one.
“We are lucky that my bedroom as well as my other sons’ bedroom faces the front of house, but his bedroom faces the back directly on top of the venue.
“We bought him blackout blinds to deal with the light from the big lights they have on the car park.”
A huge fireworks display was allegedly held at the venue at 11.30pm (Image: undefined)
Mr Mughal has said he isn’t too “bothered” by the noise during the day but admits it frustrates him in the evenings.
The father of two stated: “It has been happening since it opened in 2015.
“It is worst during the summer season, we have to keep our windows closed and the fans constantly running.
“There is always some noise going on.
“When the cars come past our house it literally shakes – its just young lads showing off.
“Then in the evening at 11 pm, they rev them again as they probably have only rented them for a day and want to make the most of them.
“When I moved here, I felt very lucky because there was a bowling green and a working man’s club behind us – it was very quiet.
“We were very happy then but now it’s totally opposite.”
Another neighbour who wished to remain anonymous stated: “Sometimes at big weddings they play the drums for up to 45 minutes.
“When they are going, you can’t hear anything else.”
A huge fireworks display was allegedly held at the venue at 11.30pm (Image: undefined)
Another resident commented: “I think they should avoid late night functions.
“In the day, everybody is busy, it’s okay, but late at night it isn’t fair.
“When the fireworks went off I rushed out the house thinking there was an accident.”
A spokesperson for The Grand Banqueting Suite said: “There is only one instance of fireworks, which took place 2 days ago, which has prompted complaints.
“The fireworks took place outside the boundary of our Venue, we made every effort to stop them, and one member of our management team was even assaulted in the process.
“We’ve met with the council this morning and they have confirmed that no complaints of any nature have been made against the venue in the past 4 years.
“We’ve reviewed our management procedures with the council and they are happy for us to continue implementing them as we already have been.
“Had we or the council have received any complaints, of course we would have taken them seriously.
“We’re working closely with the police and Kirklees council regarding the above isolated incident, and providing any evidence they require to prosecute the individuals that set off the fireworks on this isolated occasion.
The venue backs onto terraced homes (Image: undefined)
“The venue has been around for over 10 years, and has built a fantastic reputation without any previous issues.
“Regarding the question about our planning permission – we’ve always operated within the guidelines of our planning permission, any allegations that say otherwise are false.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with Kirklees council, and our neighbours to mitigate any future disruption.”
A council spokesman said: “We know that noise disturbances can have an impact on residents’ quality of life and it’s something that we take very seriously.
“We have received three noise complaints in August which colleagues from our Pollution and Noise Control team are currently investigating.
“As with all noise complaint cases the team will work with both residents and businesses, to try and resolve any issues informally, if a solution can’t be reached this way, the council must gather independent evidence to determine whether the noise is a statutory nuisance, in law, before taking formal action.”
A representative for West Yorkshire Police stated: “Shortly after 11.20pm on Monday, police were called to a disturbance outside an events venue on Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, where it was reported that a large group of people were setting off fireworks.
“Officers attended and found that people had begun to disperse.
“A crime of assault was recorded in relation to a staff member working at the venue who reported being punched.”