12:15pm Friday 15th December 2006
By Tommy Norton
Shenley Cricket Centre has been forced to stop holding parties in an outdoor marquee after residents complained about the noise.
Environmental health officers visited the cricket centre in Shenley Park, Radlett Lane, earlier this year after residents complained that loud music from live bands and discos was causing excessive noise, sometimes late into the night.
Last week a Licensing meeting told the cricket centre it would not be able to play amplified or recorded music after 8pm in the evening in its outdoor marquee, although they would be allowed to play background music until 10pm.
Gavin Burns, the council's principal environmental health officer, said: "It's not a problem when events are held in the main building but the sides of the marquee were so thin that it was almost like an open-air disco."
The owners of the cricket centre, which regularly hosts international cricket games, had expressed concern that the ruling would prevent them from playing music during matches, for example when a boundary is scored or a batsmen walks out to the crease. But the council acknowledged that such music had become a feature of the modern game and allowed the centre to continue playing short bursts of amplified music during the day.
Centre manager Kevin Gramoney said: "The ethos of cricket is changing and it's more about music, fun and flair and we need the support of the community to make this work.
"In terms of cricket at the centre nothing has changed although this will affect us a little in terms of using the marquee for functions but music and dancing can continue as long as its indoors."
The cricket centre is waiting for the result of a planning appeal on a £2 million plan to double the capacity of the centre's function rooms from 200 to 400.
A decision is expected in January and, if given the go-ahead work could start in September 2007.
Mr Gramoney continued: "We want to work with the community but people have to appreciate that it is hard fighting for big games and it costs a lot of money, that's why we have to have functions here. The local club, Shenley Village, play here and pay only a nominal fee and our facilities are of a very high standard.
"But it costs £60,000 a year to maintain and that's why we need functions so we are able to give something back to the community."
The centre has been named the fourth best in the country by the English Cricket Board and already has three high profile one day internationals booked in for next summer.
Gavin Burns said: "I think it's a good decision, it allows them to do what they need to do for the cricket but prevents them from holding wedding parties and corporate events in the marquee which was causing a serious nuisance to residents."
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