Harper Adams vows to keep the noise down
Students have vowed to keep the noise down at their dusk to dawn summer ball at Shropshire's university.
More than 4,000 letters have been posted to residents living near Harper Adams University in Edgmond, near Newport, by organisers of the event saying efforts have been made to avoid a repeat of the loud noise which prompted complaints from neighbours following last year's ball.
Some claimed they were kept awake until 7am and people living several miles away said that they could hear the party from inside their homes as chart-topping rapper Professor Green took to the stage at the open-air gig.
This year's ball will be held on June 21 and will have a "Born in the USA" theme.
Matthew Wright, chairman of the ball's organising committee, said: "We understand that last year's summer ball event caused problems within the area and we have been made fully aware of this.
"This has led the organisation procedure of this year's ball to be fully reviewed and therefore a new approach and plan has been devised in order to mitigate and prevent any potential issues this year."
Mr Wright said the university's Christmas Ball in December was deemed to be a success with few complaints.
He said organisers have been in regular discussions with Telford & Wrekin Council's environmental team to "minimise any inconvenience".
Sound checks will be carried out for short periods before the event to calculate the correct volume level.
Mr Wright said: "Intermittent bursts of volume will be kept to a minimum as we appreciate it may cause some annoyance."
The stage will be positioned in a different field this year, which organisers believe will decrease the amount of noise for neighbours.
An event management consultant has also been hired to manage the event on the night and fairground rides will be repositioned.
Mr Wright added: "It's going to be a great night. Acts announced so far include The Futuristic Polar Bears, Chris Stark, Sigma and Duke.
"More of our plans will be released to students in the coming weeks.
"For final year students and selected guests, we are also running a VIP gala dinner, with additional entertainment, to celebrate the end of our time at Harper Adams."
The event is only open to Harper Adams students, staff and their guests.
