A popular dinosaur attraction in Herefordshire has been forced to impose strict 'quiet hours' on its roaring animatronic models after local residents complained about the constant prehistoric screeches disrupting the peace.
The Sound of Silence: New Rules for Roars
Ralph Court Garden’s Dinosaur World, located near Bromyard, is home to a collection of model dinosaurs that move and vocalise. However, the park's owners, Stephen and Paula Morgan, have now been instructed that the creatures can only emit their signature screeches and horn-like sounds between 10am and 4pm.
This decision came directly from Hereford Council’s environmental health office, which investigated complaints about the noises being ‘out of context within the local environment’. One resident took to social media to voice their frustration, writing, ‘Not so much fun when you live next door. Constant screeching (apparently this is what dinosaurs sound like ….. who knew?)’ They also mentioned the disturbance to their horses from the ‘flapping wings and heads and necks going up & down’.
Planning Permission and Expanding the Herd
The issue was compounded when the Morgans submitted a retrospective planning application. It was revealed they had introduced 11 new dinosaurs to the park without initially realising they needed additional permission. The original planning permission, granted in February last year, already included specific noise control measures. These included maximum volume limits, restrictions on how many dinosaurs could vocalise simultaneously, and the installation of noise-dampening barriers or vegetation.
Herefordshire Council planning officer, Jack Dyer, noted that while the garden's theme ‘does not necessarily fit with the surrounding natural landscape’, its visual impact was minimal. However, he emphasised that the attraction would ‘require some degree of control going forward in order to protect the surrounding public and neighbouring residential amenity’.
Testing, Tweaking, and Seasonal Exceptions
Following the second application, official noise tests were conducted. The results showed that some of the dinosaurs were too loud, and the park was ordered to adjust their volume, which the owners confirmed has been done. Mr Morgan explained to the Daily Mail, ‘We did an audio test, they assessed and a couple of the units were a decibel higher than should have been. They have now been adjusted accordingly. The dinosaurs all have audio controls, they all have volume knobs.’
The approved noise management plan now mandates that the attraction closes in the evenings. However, a concession has been made for special events; during the run-up to Halloween and Christmas, the noise curfew is extended until 8pm for evening events.
Despite the formal complaints, the retrospective application faced no direct objections from neighbours or the local parish council. Mr Morgan attributed the issue to one particular neighbour, stating, ‘We have an issue with one particular neighbour unhappy about anything we do.’ He also confirmed that the park, which opened in 2025, has otherwise been a hit with visitors.
