North Paddington community centre fined

Those living right next door bore the full brunt of several steel drums playing in unison.
Some residents also complained about the noise caused from social events at the centre, which could sometimes be heard until the early hours of the morning.

Despite pleading guilty in a previous court appearance for the same offences committed in 2007, the centre continued to ignore the plight of neighbours, causing Westminster Council to start legal proceedings once again in August last year.

At City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on October 19, the centre was fined £2,000 after being found guilty of two counts of statutory noise nuisance.

Westminster Council's cabinet member for community safety Cllr Daniel Astaire said: "Community centres are meant to benefit their local area, not blight it.

"It is unacceptable to make life intolerable for local residents and over a two year period, the poor residents have endured countless disturbed days and nights.

"We all have a right to live in peace in our own home, and we have tried our hardest to negotiate with Yaa Asantewa but they have ignored our wishes and ridden roughshod over the wishes of their neighbours.

"We're happy to assist the steel bands who have been using it to find suitable alternative venues, and we would urge our residents that they do not need to suffer in silence if noisy neighbours are making their life hell."

Westminster Council offers a 24-year, seven-days-a-week noise team, which deals with more than 18,000 calls a year.

Residents or businesses can report problems with noise to the team on 020 7641 2000.