WEDDING couples looking forward to their big day at St Ouen’s Manor next year could find their dreams shattered as a result of a noise ban at the venue.

On Thursday the JEP revealed that a noise abatement order had been served to stop amplified music being played there. The marquee company responsible for taking bookings for events in the grounds of the historical manor has now said that unless the threat of prosecution is removed, a variety of events, including weddings, could be cancelled next year.

The Health Protection department noise abatement notice was issued following complaints that a neighbour could not hear his television at times. But the Seigneur of St Ouen, Philip Malet de Carteret, is believed to be in the process of appealing against the decision, and the issue could now end up before the Royal Court. The Seigneur was unavailable for comment as he is out of the Island.

A similar notice has been served on Vibert Marquees. The owner of the marquee business, Nigel Vaudin, has condemned Health Protection officers for the way they have dealt with the matter. ‘We take the bookings for events, and at the moment, although we are taking them, we don’t actually know if they can be staged,’ he said.

Pictured: A wedding in the grounds of St Ouen’s Manor. It may not be possible to hold such events in the future