Wealthy residents in sleepy village say wild hen parties at £6k-a-night Airbnb owned by ex-football club boss are turning their rural idyll into a weekend nightmare

Wealthy residents in a sleepy village say their peace is being shattered by hen-do revellers after a former care home was transformed into a £6,000-a-night Airbnb 'party house'.Surrounded by lush Lancashire countryside, the idyllic village of Ightenhill, with a population of just 1,900, is being blighted by groups of young women descending on the 30-bed 'Pool Party House'.The sprawling luxury retreat is described online as a 'hen party paradise' and boasts an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, cinema and outdoor hot tubs overlooking the River Calder and Pendle Hill.But while guests have been raving about their 'perfect' weekend getaways at the converted 1900s stone barn - some neighbours say the revelry has turned their rural idyll into a nightmare.They claim raucous partygoers knock on their doors at night, while coaches and minibuses ferrying guests struggle to negotiate the narrow country lane.There is no suggestion that any of the women in these pictures are involved in any of the wild parties. Wealthy residents in a Lancashire countryside town say a £6,000-a-night Airbnb has turned their idyll into a nightmare Women pictured in the property's hot tub with rolling hills in the background. There is no suggestion any of those pictured are involved in the wild parties Described online as a 'hen party paradise', one reveller was pictured wearing a veil and sporting a rounders bat in the idyllic surrounds Overlooking the River Calder and Pendle Hill, visitors can relax in the huge outdoor hot tub The converted 1900s stone barn can sleep 30 people, which neighbours say has attracted raucous parties to the peaceful spotThe venue - complete with a private bar and nightclub-style entertainment area - was previously a care home before being transformed by businessman and former football club owner Andrew Connolly, 64. Also known as Hunters Oak Barn, it had welcomed guests since February 2019 despite never having planning permission to operate as short-stay holiday accommodation.And when a retrospective planning application was submitted to Burnley Council to change its change of use from a residential care home, locals and Ightenhill Parish Council lodged complaints.A council planning report detailed objections over 'increased noise and disturbance' caused by 'large groups, social gatherings [and] late-night activity' at the barn, which is located to the north-west of Burnley.It also highlighted complaints over 'the use of foul language and guests approaching neighbouring properties' and 'the impact...on the otherwise peaceful character of the surrounding area'.There were particular concerns about coaches struggling to access the property, with some allegedly having to park further along the road, obstructing neighbours' driveways.The report described 'groups of guests reportedly congregating with luggage outside neighbouring properties while waiting for transport, resulting in noise and disturbance.'Ightenhill Parish Council meanwhile objected, warning: 'Residents of Ightenhill Park Lane often complain about the traffic using the lane.'This consists coaches, taxis and service vehicles often exceeding the speed limit. They also complain about noise late at night and disturbance of partygoers knocking on their doors.' Residents have complained that noise from the property is sometimes excessive and said they have had partygoers knocking on their doors There is also an indoor pool at the Airbnb, which attracts rave reviews from customers Visitors have raved about 'perfect' hen party weekends and the 'amazing' food. Pictured: At least 20 guests posed for pictures at the indoor poolThe venue, which is surrounded by Green Belt countryside, is described online as being 'where luxury meets laughter,' with packages advertised from £210 per person including hen party activities.The promotional blurb crows: 'Pool Party Barn transforms hen weekends into glittering, laughter-filled escapes deep in Lancashire countryside.'One delighted visitor gushed: 'I had my hen party at the pool party barn this weekend and it was PERFECT!! There was a group of 19 of us and every single person had the time of their life.''Between the pool, the bar, the views and the hot tubs there really was something for everyone. We booked the Sunday special and had afternoon tea, three-course meal and a spa treatment.'The food was amazing and the spa treatments sent us into heaven.We had a party and karaoke in the bar area, and we even managed a game of rounders outside in the garden.'Highly recommend for any kind of hen-do or celebration. Amazing experience.'Another guest enthused about the outdoor hot tub, declaring: 'The views are absolutely amazing, so was the outside hot tub. Seeing the baby bunnies outside was my heaven.'Agents acting for Mr Connolly, the former owner of non-league Rossendale United FC, insisted that the venue was not disturbing neighbouring homes.In documents submitted to the council, they argued: 'The property is located in a rural area, sited a good distance away from the nearest residential properties and as such does not lead to disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of surrounding properties with the letting and management of the property undertaken by local specialised holiday letting agents.They outlined a series of measures designed to prevent the parties getting out of hand, including a 'quiet policy between the hours of 2200 and 0800' and 'strictly no stag parties'.The agents added: 'This facility has operated successfully since early 2019 with significant attendant benefits to the local economy and has also created employment.'Despite the latest objections, Burnley Council planning officers concluded that the holiday accommodation was acceptable and 'would support local tourism'. Pictures shared online suggest the venue has become a hotspot for hen parties, attracting large groups of women to the Lancashire site A bar area at the house, which one reviewer said their group had enjoyed singing karaoke in, appeared well-stocked with bottles in one image The property's living room has vaulted ceilings and a pool table alongside bar seating and large sofas to accommodate up to 30 guests They pointed out that the property stood almost 700 metres north of a housing estate on the outskirts of Burnley, with only a handful of rural homes in between.Officers concluded that complaints about guests knocking on doors further along the country lane could not be addressed through planning controls.Retrospective permission was subsequently granted, with conditions including a ban on amplified music outdoors between 10pm and 8am and a requirement for noise-monitoring equipment to be installed.The council concluded that the objections from neighbours and the parish council were 'not considered sufficient to warrant refusal'.