Students rapped for noisy balls

Noise pollution staff who work for the city council's environmental health department were called to the grounds of Lady Margaret Hall after loud music woke residents living a mile away in Marston.

Council officers warned the band Koru and DJ Paul Anderson to reduce noise levels about 11pm, but finally asked students to switch off the din at 2.15am. The group had been scheduled to perform in the marquee until 5am. Noise pollution officers have now compiled a report about the incident and are warning other colleges to adhere to a strict code of practice, issued to all college ball committees ten years ago.

Tony Payne, head of pollution, noise and licensing for Oxford City Council, confirmed that 17 residents complained about noise levels from the ball at Lady Margaret Hall on April 28.

He said: "The college is at the bottom of Norham Gardens but the noise was carrying to residents living about a mile away in the Marston area.

"Our officers warned students to reduce the noise by about ten decibels earlier in the evening but they failed to do so, and eventually we asked them to shut down the music tent and they complied.

"There is a specific Code of Practice issued to each ball committee and this should serve as a reminder that it needs to be adhered to. "We are not kill-joys and we want the students to enjoy themselves but that has to be balanced with the needs of local residents."

Eileen Wyatt, bursar of Lady Margaret Hall, said students were sorry for any inconvenience caused to residents.

She added: "This was the first ball for many years at this college and we don't know when the next one will be because they take years of planning. Students arranging future events will reassessing procedures and try to comply with all the necessary regulations."

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