But residents in Wells say one quiet corner of the town has been disturbed by noise and fumes from a £3,938-a-week holiday let capable of sleeping 20 people.

The former youth hostel on Church Plain was transformed into ARC Next-the-Sea after architect Tom Leahy spent more than £1m refurbishing it, including creating an al-fresco dining area, plunge pool and barbecue.

Now the town council is investigating residents’ complaints, while Mr Leahy has vowed to tackle any problems – insisting they have been caused by “a handful of kids” rather than “topless saxophonists jumping in the swimming pool”.

Architect Tom Leahy (Image: Tom Leahy)

The holiday let on Church Plain at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Neighbours have complained to Wells Town Council about noise from the property, which opened in March after Mr Leahy bought the building for £400,000.

Its chairman Peter Rainsford said councillors have agreed unanimously to investigate what action the authority could take.

“We had a deputation from a group of very concerned residents from the area who were complaining bitterly about the noise,” he said.

“We understand from local residents that the impact on their lives is unacceptable. It’s the wrong use in the wrong place.”

Peter Rainsford, chair of Wells Town Council (Image: Danielle Booden)

The building before it was refurbished (Image: Chris Bishop)

The property is opposite St Nicholas Church, near the junction with Burnt Street.

“It’s quite a sacred corner,” said Mr Rainsford. “It’s by the lychgate where people gather for funerals and weddings.”

One man out walking his dog during the week said: “I know there have been issues with the place.

“We can hear it, another issue is walking through here, the smoke from the barbecue, the sound and everything.

“I’ve walked the dog down there and they’ve been shouting, all kinds of things.

“That’s the way Wells is, it’s full of holidaymakers, it’s becoming a venue rather than a place to live.”

The property is across the road from St Nicholas Church (Image: ARC)

The plunge pool and al fresco dining area at the rear of the property (Image: ARC)

Mr Leahy said noise monitors had been installed in the garden, with guests receiving a text message asking them to quieten down if they triggered them.

He said the sensors would go off when the sound went over 60dB – around the same level as two people talking – at night, with a slightly higher threshold during the day.

Mr Leahy said they had gone off four times over the summer, adding: “Our records are very clear that there were very infrequent breaches.

“We’re not talking about parties, about topless saxophonists jumping in the swimming pool.

“We’re talking about kids, a handful of kids, that’s what we’re talking about.”

The al fresco dining area behind the property (Image: ARC)

A barbecue and pizza oven behind the property fitted with flues (Image: ARC)

Mr Leahy said the sensors were now being adjusted to average out the sound they detected over five minutes instead of 15, making them more sensitive.

He said the barbecue and al fresco oven behind the property both had flues more than 2m high, which he was willing to raise if necessary, and said neither was frequently used by guests.

“It’s not like a pub with a beer garden where they’re using it all day in the summer, cooking lunch and dinner,” he added.

“I’m disappointed there’s not been more patience, this has been a tourism facility for a quarter of a century, and it’s been very well renovated.

“It’s bringing tourists into Wells, at some point you have to support your local businesses or you won’t have any.”

The former youth hostel at Wells which has been converted into a 10-bedroom holiday let (Image: ARC)

The area formerly used for parking by Wells WI, before the plunge pool and other facilities were built (Image: Chris Bishop)

Plans for the “party house” were given the go-ahead by North Norfolk District Council two years ago despite a flood of objections.

The green light came despite fears the development would prevent members of the town’s Women’s Institute from accessing their hall to the rear of the building on Church Plain.

The plunge pool and dining area now occupy the area where WI members used to park, although the branch appears to be thriving despite earlier fears the new holiday let would threaten its future.

Members using the building earlier this month declined to comment.

Mr Leahy said relations had improved and he had offered the group the use of his venue for a summer or Christmas party.