Noise Abatement Order Issued to London Church

Posted under Blog by Ruth

A London church has been shocked to receive a noise abatement order, restricting them to only use music for 20 minutes on a Sunday morning.

There had been a number of complaints, prompting the council to inspect the church. It is thought the complaints came from a neighbour next door, living in the building that was formerly a vicarage.

A trustee of the church, Mr Ade Ajike, stated that when the Church first moved to the road in 2007, the building was renovated including installing double glazing in all of the windows, which is widely regarded as one of the very best ways to reduce sound entering and leaving any building. Only one stained glass window was left in place.

Environmental Officers then visited and gave them the OK. However, a complaint was since made in August 2008.

Despite efforts from the church to reduce noise, the local council have stated that the church must not offend local Muslims living nearby.

This has led to the church reducing the noise and worship time to just 20 minutes of music on a Sunday. However, the neighbour continues to complain, even throughout the sermon.

Barrister of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Minichiello Williams, stated that ‘worship in a church is to be expected.’ And that this worship is a fundamental expression of faith for the local Afro-Caribbean community.