I am surprised at English Heritage s decision to cancel the Kenwood concerts. They run four concerts at Marble Hill and three at Audley End, presumably profitably, and have not explained why they can t run eight at Kenwood. Some comments attributed to the

I am surprised at English Heritage's decision to cancel the Kenwood concerts. They run four concerts at Marble Hill and three at Audley End, presumably profitably, and have not explained why they can't run eight at Kenwood.

Some comments attributed to the Chief Executive of English Heritage, Simon Thurley, are inappropriate. He describes Camden's decision as "a snap decision". It was not. The licensing process was fully and correctly followed. English Heritage were represented by an eminent barrister, who put their application competently and called technical and commercial witnesses in support of it.

The panel also heard from its own technical advisers and from three local residents, and had 40 letters from residents and local organisations before it. The panel found that the programme as proposed would constitute a public nuisance, and decided:

to grant the increase in permitted noise levels that had been applied for

to keep the audience size at its current level of 8,000 (IMG had applied for an increase to 10,000)

to limit the number of concerts to eight, allowing residents some weekends without concerts.

An appeal judge came to the same decision as the panel. His detailed judgement is on the public record and should be studied by anyone who wishes to comment on the outcome. It makes it clear that the conditions were in no way "arbitrary restrictions".

Pressurising the council to override the legitimate concerns of residents is not the way forward. English Heritage now has to do what it has claimed to be doing for some time - to consult properly with organisations and residents and to come up with a programme which can be supported by all, as had been the case in the past.

This regrettable outcome is the result of mismanagement over several years, pushing noise volumes beyond an acceptable level. It is English Heritage and their contractors who should be blamed - not Camden Council or local residents. It's up to English Heritage to come back to the table with some sensible way forward, which, I am sure, will be considered positively and sympathetically by all parties.

Harley Atkinson

Fitzroy Park, N