http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/business/licensing/licensing_guidance/licensing_guidance_noise_pollution.htm

Not too sure on what statistical evidence this is based but this is question that Kingston Council have now been asked to provide.

Control of Noise from Pubs and Clubs

The main source of noise associated with pubs and clubs is musical entertainment, although noise can also originate from patrons using beer gardens, children's play areas, patrons leaving premises, storage areas and plant. This guidance suggests way to avoid noise nuisance and so maintain good public relations with your neighbours. It will also enable you to formulate a noise management plan and operating schedule to prevent public nuisance and meet the Council's licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003.

There are of course great distinctions between the playing of recorded music, performance of amplified music and the playing of non-amplfied music. The licensing measures here are taken in advance and assumes that all 'musical entertainment' will be presenting the same concerns.   

It continues the LGA group position which can only see live music, (with all of its benefits) firstly as a public order concern and places most of its efforts on presenting noise complaints.

The examples provided earlier in this thread will show the effects on all live music, of an approach where it follows that any form of noise complaint, whether valid or not, will trigger all sorts of Council Depts into action and even where advance enertainment permission is in place, this will be overriden.

So what possible use, are all of the Licensing Act's additional and expensive advance licensing permissions that are currently said to be so vital to protect the public from live music?