§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who is answerable for nuisance to neighbouring residents at pop concerts in Wembley Stadium, and whether under civil or criminal sanction; and
Whether any public authority is responsible for recording noise levels in Wembley Stadium during pop concerts, and if so what noise levels were recorded on the evenings of 15th and 16th July.
Lord LucasWembley Stadium Limited have been granted an occasional entertainments licence to hold concerts at Wembley by the London Borough of Brent under Section 52 and Schedule 12 of the London Government Act 1963. The licence includes conditions limiting noise levels. The choice of appropriate noise limits for this type of event is a matter for the local authority. Contravention of these conditions by the licensee would be a criminal offence punishable by a fine not exceeding £5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or both.
I understand that the London Borough of Brent monitored the noise levels at the concerts on the evenings of 15th and 16th July. Within the stadium, these levels ranged from 95–100 decibels. Further work is under way to ascertain whether levels measured outside the stadium complied with the limits set.
Where the local authority is satisfied that a noise constitutes a statutory nuisance, or such a nuisance is likely to occur or recur, it can serve an abatement notice under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Contravention of an abatement notice for industrial trade or business premises is punishable by a fine not exceeding twenty thousand pounds.
An individual can also lay a complaint direct to a magistrates' court under Section 82 of the same Act.