Theme park Alton Towers has successfully appealed to have the terms of its noise abatement order reduced.

An order imposed on the Tussauds Group-owned site in Staffordshire following a noise nuisance complaint by one of its neighbours, said the park could only hold one firework event per year – it previously hosted five per year – and only hold two concerts or events per year.

The appeal has raised the limit on firework events to three per year and said the park may host an unlimited number of concerts and events provided they are compliant with the Noise Council’s code of practice.

Noise level limitations have also been raised from just 28-32dB to 40dB and the fine imposed reduced from £5,000 to £3,500.

The original court case against the park followed a complaint by a couple that lives just 100 yards from the park’s main gates. Stephen and Suzanne Roper claimed that, although noise levels have been constant ever since the opening of the park, the addition of the Oblivion rollercoaster ride in 1998 had made their lives a “miserable” experience.

The couple won a magistrates court decision in August 2004 which ruled that the theme park must limit its noise levels.

Attractions association BALPPA (the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions) has issued a warning to its members in its latest newsletter that media coverage of Alton Towers’ court case could encourage their own neighbours to pursue action on noise nuisance grounds. Details: www.alton-towers.co.uk or www.balppa.org