Hyde Park concerts given go ahead despite restrictions for 2013

Live performances at London’s Hyde Park have been given the go ahead this year in spite of complaints about noise levels, Music Week has reported.

While live concerts scheduled for 2012 will remain unaffected, the number of gigs permitted to take place at Hyde Park throughout 2013 has been reduced from 13 to nine, with no more than four allowed capacity crowds of 65,000. The remaining five are to be kept under 50,000, two of which will include BBC Proms events.

Westminster council has also ordered further noise level monitoring in side streets, as well as controls over “low frequency” noise and repetitive beats, following a performance by the Chemical Brothers.

Live Nation informed the council that the nine concerts set to take place this year were crucial to cover its £12.5 million loss from staging Olympic and Paralympic "London Live" events in Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square and threatened to drop them if any noise restriction was placed on Hyde Park, the Evening Standard reported.

John Probyn, Live Nation’s chief operating officer, said the council’s decision was "a fantastic result" and promised to work with residents.

Acting chief executive of the Royal Parks Colin Buttery, said: "We need to steer clear of certain bands but the key thing is certainly the monitoring."

Mayor Boris Johnson also commented: "I’m glad Westminster has shown some wisdom in taking this decision. I’m determined that Hyde Park should continue to be a wonderful, grassy venue for concerts of all types.”