Colchester homeowners' life being made a misery by students

Alan and Kim Greenley, 66 and 61, have  lived in Hawthorn Avenue, Colchester, for just shy of two decades, but in recent years naughty neighbours have made their lives a misery.

The property adjacent to their own has become a revolving door of young undergraduates from the University of Essex who study at the Wivenhoe campus.

Over the years, Mr Greenley says the troublemaking tenants have frequently engaged in vandalism and intimidation but have often moved on before action can be taken.

Flasher - The moment a young man (right) bends over and pulls his trousers down (Image: Newsquest)

In CCTV future shared with the Gazette, a young man can be seen pulling down his trousers and bending over in front of the camera.

Another has been captured cockily using provoking hand gestures in direct view of the lens, seemingly with a view of inciting a reaction from Mr Greenley.

He said: “They go out and then come back during the early hours of the morning laughing and crashing into things.

"It is like living next to a nursery and is just chaos - they are raising hell. 

"It is a never-ending wheel of headaches and I am losing sleep about it and not able to go to work because of it.

"Kim has a heart condition and high blood pressure so this is really affecting her so when she is not in the best of health.

"We have thought about moving because we have had enough.

Mr Greenley says he has repeatedly called on the University of Essex and Colchester Council bosses to address the situation but to no avail.

Landlord John Simpson, however, who owns the property, has stressed he is trying to pacify the situation and support both parties in reaching a resolution.

He said: “I have great sympathy for Alan and I am doing all I can to try and help him, but it is a tricky and awkward situation at the moment.

“I don’t believe those in the property are horrible people, but I understand you might want to live next door to students if you had a choice.

“I have asked for more information and video evidence from Alan so I can then look to directly address the issues with the students.”

A University of Essex spokesman said: “The University of Essex takes all complaints seriously and is currently investigating this case.

“We are proud members of the Colchester community and expect all our students to follow our code of conduct. 

“The university expects the highest standards from its students, and we ask residents to contact us with any issues they may be experiencing.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Our environmental protection team received a complaint on 5 October 2022 that residents were being repeatedly disturbed by noise and antisocial behaviour from a neighbour’s property

“The council has sent a formal warning letter to the individuals residing at the property and the environmental team continue to work with neighbours to monitor and investigate the situation. Council officers are also being supported by Essex Police and are in contact with the University of Essex. 

“We would urge residents to show consideration to their neighbours, so that we can all enjoy our lives free from the disruption of excessive noise.”