Community stalwart admits noise breaches (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Community stalwart admits noise breaches

6:04pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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A Bradford businessman appeared in court today to plead guilty to failing to stop loud reggae music playing at a function hall which disturbed residents late into the night.

Nirmal Singh, who owns Marlborough Hall, a former cinema in Carlisle Road, Manningham, was charged with failing to comply with a noise abatement order which Bradford Council served in June 2006.

He was given a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,291.60 in costs.

It follows complaints from a number of residents that the loud drum beats were making it “impossible” for them to sleep and in one case, left the householder’s floor thumping.

Magistrates heard that Singh, 56, of Apperley Lane, Apperley Bridge, had been repeatedly warned about the complaints and that the Council would take action if he did nothing to prevent the noise nuisance continuing.

His solicitor Nicholas Mason said: “It is a source of deep embarrassment and shame.

“He is clearly a man who has done much for the city of Bradford, but he now finds himself prosecuted by the city he loves so dearly and he’s done so much for.”

“He is culpable not as the person who actually created the noise but as the owner of the premises.”

Solicitor Richard Winter, for the Council, said the complaints began in November 2005 and led to an investigation and a number of letters which Singh responded to.

“His response was that there was an over-reaction from those complaining but said he would endeavour to keep the noise to a low level and speak to those hiring the hall.”

He was also given advice but, after further complaints in 2006, a noise abatement notice was issued – something Singh later denied receiving.

A subsequent meeting with the Council saw him advised to employ a noise consultant.

Mr Winter went on to say that there were no further complaints until last summer, and three instances – two in July and one in August – are the subject of the three charges Singh pleaded guilty to yesterday.

“There have been no problems since August 2007 – I believe this is simply because there have been no more reggae nights. On behalf of residents I thank you for doing that, but that decision should perhaps have been taken some years ago,” he added.

As a result of the charges Singh, who received an MBE in the 1998 New Year Honours List for services to community relations in Bradford, has employed a new caretaker and acoustic consultants to advice how escaping noise can be reduced at the venue. He has also limited the type of function the hall can be hired for, banning the reggae music events.

After the case, Paul Binks, the Council’s environmental health manager, said: “We recognise the effect noise can have on people’s health and quality of life and take noise nuisance very seriously.

“We work hard to raise awareness of the impact of noise and we will take action to resolve any problems.

“This may involve using our powers to take legal action in some cases such as serving an abatement notice, seizing equipment and prosecuting offenders.”

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