Valencia Court Orders Compensation for Residents Over Noise at City of Arts and Sciences

A court in Valencia has ruled that noise from concerts and festivals at the City of Arts and Sciences violates residents' rights, ordering the City Council to pay compensation. The case involves 46 residents from two apartment blocks, each of whom is set to receive €3,000. In total, €138,000 will be paid out.

The decision was handed down by the Administrative Court of First Instance in Valencia. In addition to the compensation, the court has ordered the City Council to implement measures to reduce noise levels, including the potential cancellation of events. Major festivals regularly held in the area, such as Les Arts, Big Sound, and Love the 90s, could face cancellation as a result.

The judge emphasised that prolonged exposure to noise constitutes moral harm in itself: "The mere fact of constant exposure to noise of a certain intensity causes suffering, anxiety, and a deterioration in the quality of life, requiring no further evidence."

The residents who filed the lawsuit cited expert reports from 2022, which showed noise levels during concerts reached 80 dBA, significantly exceeding the legal limits of 45 dBA at night and 55 dBA during the day. The court also criticised the municipal authorities, stating that noise control was either non-existent or "ineffective."

The City Council points out that the lawsuit dates back to May 2023, prior to the current municipal government taking office. The Mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, stated that the council must protect the fundamental rights of residents and that authorities are currently reviewing the court's decision.

While the ruling is not yet final, it already casts doubt on the future of large-scale musical events. However, the organisers of Festival Les Arts have stated that the 2026 event will go ahead at its usual venue in the City of Arts and Sciences despite the ruling, reports Levante. The festival is scheduled for 6 and 7 June and typically attracts around 20,000 people per day.

The organiser, The Music Republic, has informed ticket holders that "the court's decision is not yet final, and should any problems arise, your rights are guaranteed; do not worry." However, the company did not respond to enquiries from Levante regarding the format of the concerts or whether noise restrictions would be introduced to avoid disturbing nearby residents.

Meanwhile, city authorities have already moved the Gay Games to the Ciutat de València stadium; they were originally set for the City of Arts and Sciences, but the location was changed due to the court's decision. Other festivals and concerts are also considering alternative venues or scaling back promotional activity due to the uncertainty.

The residents who brought the suit remain dissatisfied with partial solutions, such as reduced operating hours or noise limits. Their ultimate goal is to have the events relocated away from residential areas entirely.

The primary challenge remains the lack of an obvious alternative. Venues such as Marina Sur or Marina Nord are being considered, but they lack the capacity and infrastructure provided by the current location.