Church reconsiders in noise row (From Watford Observer)

All Saints Church in Croxley Green reconsiders in noise row

10:40am Monday 18th February 2013 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

The church launched an appeal after receiving an order from Three Rivers District Council ordering the bells could not chime throughout the night

A Croxley Green church has revealed it will not contest a noise abatement notice that has silenced its hourly chimes.

All Saints Church in The Green launched an appeal after receiving an order from Three Rivers District Council in September ordering that the 140-year-old bells could not chime the hour throughout the night.

The church decided to challenge the order and the case was due to be heard at Watford Magistrates Court on the 26th February.

However a statement posted on the church’s website said an adjournment of the appeal had been sought after receiving the results of a report by a noise expert and advice from its legal team.

The statement added: "We are very aware of the tangible feeling of anger over the initial serving of the abatement notice; however after seeking legal advice from a barrister with experience in this field we recognised that without any changes to the volume of the clock chime it was highly unlikely that we would have been successful in our appeal.

"We are now working actively with Three Rivers District Council to find a way of reducing the sound level to ensure that it is within the World Health Organisation recommended levels so that the chimes can continue over a twenty four hour period which is in line with the wishes of the wider community.

"We would like to thank everyone, throughout Croxley Green and beyond, for all of the petitions, letters and messages of support we have received."