Hope Gardens residents want silence

Residents of Hope Gardens are reportedly prepared to a begin legal battle to protect their peace of mind and tranquillity in the St Andrew community.

Michael Williams, immediate past president of the Hope Gardens Citizens' Association, said residents are gearing up to go to court in a bid to clamp down on noise pollution in their area.

"We want Hope Gardens to be declared a quiet zone and a no-entertainment zone. We are willing to go to court for it and we are in the process of getting the funds to secure the lawyer," Williams told THE STAR.

Hope Gardens is a popular spot for entertainment events in the Corporate Area. However, while patrons and party promoters enjoy being at the location, Hope Gardens residents have grown increasingly frustrated with the constant hosting of events. Williams said that last weekend's staging of Lost in Time at the venue not only went beyond the 12 a.m. cutoff, but it also caused inconvenience for residents as the thoroughfare leading into the community was blocked.

"They didn't adhere to the lock-off time because it had to take the police to go there to stop them. The cars were parked all over the community; it was traffic jam. They should not use the community for concert. It's high time they find somewhere for entertainment," Williams said.

The Lost in Time concert, which was conceptualised by reggae singer Protoje, ended abruptly Sunday morning as police pulled the plug at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday morning.