Furious residents living near The Monal by Jalwa in West Yorkshire say revving supercars, drumming and fireworks at the wedding venue are making their lives hell.
The grand and luxurious venue opened last June and hosts extravagant weddings for up to 800 guests. Homeowners living in flats just metres from the two-storey Grade II listed building have compared the daily disruption to living next to a Formula 1 track.
During the summer period from May to September, local residents say up to three weddings take place at the site each day. The events frequently spill past the 11pm curfew, with guests arriving in fleets of Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Porsches, and Ferraris.
Neighbours report that visitors rev high-powered engines and sound car horns continuously, sometimes for up to three hours straight before entering the venue. In addition to the traffic noise, householders endure loud ceremonial drums and smoke from coloured flares set off in the street.
Supercar noise and blocked roads
Footage shows wedding attendees setting off coloured flares that smoke out the local area and drift into nearby houses. Local residents also state that large gatherings of drunken attendees throw plastic cups and beer bottles into private gardens.
Parking has created severe congestion along Bradford Road, where visitors leave vehicles parked on both sides of the pavement. Local resident David Craven, 71, whose house sits directly on the boundary line, warned that emergency vehicles struggle to pass through the traffic.
"Emergency services like fire engines and ambulances struggle to get past the cars, which is the difference between life and death," Craven said.
Signs warning drivers not to rev their engines have been erected around the site, but residents say the notices have done nothing to stop the disturbance.
Impact on local households
Tim Miller, 68, has submitted three formal complaints to Kirklees Council regarding the venue. Miller said he and his wife now leave their home to stay in their caravan in Bridlington more frequently to escape the noise.
"We are the lucky ones who can escape, I feel for those who can't," Miller said.
Alina Leipina, 35, a mother of one, said she was unaware of the plans to convert the property into an event space until it opened.
"I hate it. I wasn't aware of the plans to convert it into a wedding venue, so it came as a shock to me and my family," Leipina said. She added that night-time fireworks startle her young son while he sleeps, causing him to cry out of fear, and noted that the noise has worsened over the summer months.
An unnamed 76-year-old resident, who lives with his 77-year-old housebound wife, said they have lived in their home for eight years and used to enjoy watching the BBC Proms. "But for the last year it has been impossible. I can't hear it as the engines are always revving. We have never received an apology," he said.
A 24-year-old teacher living nearby noted that the noise makes it difficult to wind down after work, while another local resident, 38-year-old Reuben McKaay, urged wedding guests to show greater consideration.
"We don't have a problem with the culture, in fact, I like watching the ceremonies," McKaay said. "We just wish they would be more respectful and understanding towards us."
History of the historic chapel
The six-pillared building dates back to the 1850s, when it originally functioned as a Congregational chapel and later as a United Reformed church until its closure in 1991. After remaining vacant and falling into disrepair for a decade, the Victorian chapel was restored in 2001 through a £1.75 million project led by local businessman Mohammed Iqbal Tabassum.
The restored building spent two decades operating as the Aakash, which was the world's largest Indian restaurant, before closing in November 2022. David Craven, who lived next door throughout that period, recalled the restaurant as quiet and respectful of neighbours.
"I have lived here for eight years now with my wife. I had no problem with the Indian restaurant," Craven said. "They were relaxed and played by the rules. But now it is the complete opposite."
Following its sale in 2022, entrepreneurs Akbar Ali and his father Imran Ali, co-founders of the company, converted the property over a five-month period in early 2025. The venue hosted its first wedding in June 2025 after securing planning approvals from Kirklees Council in 2023 and 2025 for internal and external renovations.
During the planning process, the Spen Valley Civic Society formally requested that firework celebrations be kept to a minimum to protect local residential amenities. Inside, the converted venue features over 100 chandeliers, marble tables, and marble flooring, along with outdoor terraces, fountains, and illuminated gardens.
Council response and official investigations
Labour MP for Spen Valley Kim Leadbeater visited the venue in April after receiving complaints from local homeowners, posting details of her visit on Facebook. However, annoyed neighbours described her post as an advert for the business that failed to address the noise issues or lead to concrete action.
Earlier this month, Leadbeater urged residents to submit evidence of fireworks and vehicle revving to Kirklees Council, and to report antisocial behavior directly to West Yorkshire Police.
Kirklees Council confirmed it is aware of ongoing noise complaints and is working with West Yorkshire Police, other public agencies, and venue management to reach a resolution.
Councillor Pip Harvey, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Place, Culture and Volunteering, said an 11pm curfew remains in place and noted that recent council investigations found no evidence linking reported fireworks directly to the venue itself. The council added that it is working with police to resolve nuisance parking on surrounding streets.
Representatives for The Monal by Jalwa and Kim Leadbeater were approached for comment. West Yorkshire Police declined to comment on the matter.
