The gospel church that's so noisy it 'drowned out traffic'

A gospel church has been fined after neighbours complained about its services being too noisy.

Deacon Everton Lewis-Gordon and pastor Sean Samuel appeared before magistrates in Nottingham charged with noise nuisance after residents complained to the council about services at the city's New Generation Church.

The charges against the deacon were withdrawn but Mr Samuel was fined £360 and ordered to pay £300 costs.

Noise pollution officers judged the volume to be a nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act after recording sound levels during services, some which could last up to three hours and involve amplified singing, music and preaching, Nottingham City Council said.

The council tried to resolve the situation between church and residents, who had been complaining for four years, but after no sign of improvement, the matter was taken to the courts.

Councillor Alex Norris said: "The unacceptable noise levels – sometimes above the traffic noise on the busy road – have not reduced and we have felt that prosecution was the only option open."