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HARINGEY: Alexandra Park School late licence protest
Approval for a late-night licence at a Muswell Hill secondary school has sparked fury among residents.
The licence will allow Alexandra Park School, in Bidwell Gardens, to stay open until midnight during the week and 1am at weekends for concerts and performances.
Haringey Council's licensing committee granted the application last Thursday despite significant opposition from members of the community.
More than 20 residents from Rhodes Avenue and Bidwell Gardens, roads surrounding the school, sent letters to the council outlining their concerns.
They believe the late finishes could see a rise in antisocial behaviour, as youngsters spill out onto the streets, and add to parking problems and traffic congestion in the surrounding streets.
Melvyn Shaffer, of Rhodes Avenue, said: "I live directly opposite the school gates and have had to endure the often rowdy and unruly behaviour of the students for many years.
"Granting the application will only make matters worse. Parking will be a nightmare, noise levels will be incessant and there is likely to be an increase in late night bad behaviour. This promises to bring total mayhem to the area."
But the committee found there was not enough grounds to refuse the application and insisted residents' views were taken into consideration by cutting the opening hours during the week to midnight, instead of 1am as requested.
Before the application was approved, all public events had to finish by 11pm.
A council spokesman said: "After listening to their concerns, the committee reduced the hours from the original application by one hour from Sunday to Thursday."
Neither the council's noise team nor the police expressed any concerns about the extended licence.
The school applied for the extension of their licence to allow it to host concerts, plays and dance performances in line with the Government's Extended Schools policy.
The policy, to be achieved by 2010, dictates all secondary schools must make provision for a varied menu of study support and enrichment activities outside regular school hours.
Deanne Morgan, the school's business manager, said: "I would like to highlight that we are a school and our priority is teaching and learning - not commercial gain.
"We did not apply for a change of use and will not begin to hold all-night raves.
"Extending the hours simply means better access to learning and recreational activities to help improve attainment and achievement.
"It also means parents can visit the school for our popular performances and share in their children's successes."
9:17am Friday 25th April 2008
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