Council to use new ASB powers over amplified busking near abbey

Council officers are set to use new powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to restrict amplified buskers near Bath Abbey after clergy complained that loud music had forced the abandonment of a church service.

Choral evensong had to be halted last Sunday because of the competing noise of music from buskers outside the building.

Bath and North East Somerset Council said it was “committed to achieving a balance where busking can continue to bring vibrancy to the city centre of Bath without impacting detrimentally on businesses, organisations and residents located close to the busking pitches”.

David Dixon, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Clearly the powers previously offered to local authorities have not been effective enough to deal with this type of nuisance.

“Therefore, under new powers provided by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, we will be looking to ban all amplification within the immediate vicinity of Bath Abbey.”

The council had earlier imposed a ‘traffic light’ system designed to reduce the impact of noise at sensitive times, to which it said most buskers adhered.

Action has been taken in the past under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 if a busker is causing a statutory noise nuisance. 

But proving this requires the council to collect evidence of a continuing pattern of serious noise disturbances that materially interfere with the enjoyment of someone’s property.

The council said it had served noise abatement notices on buskers when other interventions had been ignored.

A statement from the abbey said only a small minority of buskers caused offence, and urged residents to “pray for us as we work with the local council and local musicians and buskers towards a resolution”.

Mark Smulian