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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
 
Alan Hollinghurst
Writer loses battle of the bandstand

WRITER Alan Hollinghurst has lost a battle to silence the summer sounds of musicians on Parliament Hill’s bandstand.

The author, who won the Booker Prize in 2004, had written to the Town hall to protest over a application by the City of London (CoL) for a public entertainment licence to host concerts on the bandstand.

Mr Hollinghurst, (pictured) who lives in Tanza Road, South End Green, said a summer concert series – due to resume this Saturday with a showcase of Japanese music – would “cause intolerable noise nuisance” to himself and neighbours.

He added: “The application does not say how frequent the live performances would be or whether they would involve amplification.”

And the writer added that Heath by-laws ban music already, adding: “I consider it essential to remember that one of the main reasons for which the Heath is treasured is that it is a place of peace and quiet.”

And Laura Jacobs, who lives in Parliament Hill Mansions which overlooks the Lido said when the concerts are on she could not hear her own TV. She said: I have put up with concerts on Sunday afternoons but I object strongly to having three nights a week as well.”

But a Town Hall licensing committee of Labour Councillor’s Jonathan Simpson and Syed Hoque approved the application.

The CoL, who have already held two concerts this year without permission due to an administrative blunder, said they were thrilled by the decision.

A CoL spokesman said: “This means our summer programme of concerts at Parliament Hill bandstand can now resume this weekend.

“Hundreds of Heath visitors enjoy the varied music we provide each week during the summer – from jazz to brass band – and which has been taking place at the bandstand for decades.”

 
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