Regarding houses having barriers in front of them, I went around the whole track in '99 and though it was a few years ago I don't recall much in the way of housing - there's trees and a lot of them, I guess there might be houses on the other side but I don't remember any or recall any drive ways.
There are a few businesses off the Mulsanne, I suppose there might be a house or two somewhere along the route but I can't think of any and believe it's mostly a non-issue.
The Mulsanne straight is a road between towns and the other side of the circuit is for the most part purpose built race track, with a few roundabouts inbetween that the circuit bypasses or turns off from.
So yes there are local residents, but these aren't residential streets.
I'm not sure of the physics as to how much use they are but if the high pressure water barriers are suited to purpose then I hardly think they would be out of place, and besides - what's the harm in tyre walls - nobody is under the illusion that it isn't the most famous and most important race track in the world. I think you'll find the vast majority of locals are proud of it rather than registering noise complaints.
