A ZUMBA instructor feels “drained” because persistent noise complaints about her class in Chipping Barnet keep leading to Barnet Council’s intervention.

Gulbin Kizrak, who runs classes every Wednesday and Friday at Hope Community Centre in Mays Lane, has had trouble with a nearby resident who has complained about the loud music since late June.

The unnamed resident has seen her complaints have environmental agents from the council sent round to the centre to check out the noise on several occasions.

Ms Kizrak was issued with an Environmental Protection Act 1990 abatement notice to reduce her noise or see her class forcibly cancelled by the council on July 8.

She said: “I’m really fed up with it. The class is great, full of absolutely top women, but every class since late June has been interrupted in one way or another.

“I’m trying to keep upbeat but if they keep causing me aggravation I will consider not coming back after my time off in August. I am not here to make trouble, most of the residents love the class.”

A council inspector was sent to the class again on July 13 where it was decided the noise is now above legal decibel limits, although it is disruptive when the centre’s doors are open on hot days.

Ms Kizrak agreed to lower the music volume when the doors were open but worried to lower it too far would “ruin the atmosphere”.

Trina Kilpatrick, of Western Way in Barnet, who goes to Ms Kizrak’s class, said: “Where do you draw the line with how the council treats the centre?

“If they are shutting down Zumba classes because of the noise, they might shut down kids’ birthday parties there next and eventually the centre will just have to close.”

Ms Kizrak runs other classes around Barnet throughout the week but her classes at Hope Community Centre are the only ones close enough for women in Chipping Barnet to walk to.

Carol Oliver, who lives above the centre, said Ms Kizrak's claim of a single complainant is wrong and several people in the street have logged their unhappiness with the council.

She said: "Even with all my windows and doors shut the noise is so loud, I can hear every word she is screaming to her class.

"We are not asking her to stop the classes, just that she turn it down or close the centre doors."

Barnet Council confirmed they had issued an abatement notice and Ms Kizrak had complied with its requirements.

A spokesperson said: “We always encourage our residents to take part in fitness classes such as Zumba and other group activities which promote increased health and well-being.

“However, as the local authority we also have a legal responsibility to investigate all complaints of noise disturbances which are affecting our residents.

“In this case our noise officers visited the property after being made aware of noise disturbances experienced by a number of residents from high noise levels coming from the classes when the community centre doors were left open.

“Following our visits we have explained to the class operator the volume that can be played in the community centre without causing a disturbance if the doors are kept closed.”