Popular pub karaoke host left devastated following complaints over socially-distant Leeds street party

Steve Morley, 57, from Wortley, has been hosting a community street dance on Lynwood Rise for two hours every Sunday afternoon since lockdown began.

The weekly events became the talk of the local community, with hundreds of people tuning in to watch on Facebook Live from across Leeds.

The karaoke host and DJ has taken requests to celebrate people's birthdays and anniversaries, played cancelled wedding songs and even announced a pregnancy for an expecting family on the street.

But Steve has put an abrupt end to his community gatherings following a number of complaints to Leeds City Council.

The council has issued Steve with a noise abatement notice, meaning that no amplified music that may 'cause a nuisance' to nearby properties can be played at the gathering.

Steve said: "The feeling when I got the letter was sheer shock. They've taken it on face value that someone is playing loud music in the garden and causing a public nuisance. That's not what it is.

"This is not a party, it's not even a gathering. It's people who are self-isolating, enjoying a couple of hours of nice, good old tunes, enjoying a nice drink in the garden because they can't get out while they're stuck inside with nothing to do.

"I understand that it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but we've had unbelievable support. I'm playing classic tunes that everyone loves, not heavy metal!"

Steve says that dozens of neighbours have written to the council to complain of the noise abatement notice and he's called for one last party to thank the community for their 'phenomenal' support during lockdown.

The father-of-two added: "There's been so many lovely stories from people who have enjoyed it and when lockdown is over, for the vast majority of people, it will be the one thing they will remember from it.

"The couple of hours on a Sunday they could just sit out, chat over the fence to the next door neighbour and enjoy the music.

"It's been an absolute joy to do it. It's been phenomenal."

Steve's daughter, Nicola, said that even local police officers had been along to the street dance every week to show their support.

The 27-year-old added: "Dad's just gutted that he's had to stop without the chance to say thank you, or to have one final day where we can celebrate the end of lockdown.

"The kids on the street have been really upset and a 97-year-old lady actually cried when she was told we couldn't do it anymore!

"She looks forward to it every week and for people like that, who are isolated by themselves, it's all they have.

"My dad has always been the kind of person who likes doing things for other people, he likes making people happy. So that's why he's gutted that it's kind of been ruined for everybody."

Leeds Council said the notice was issued following a 'number of noise nuisance complaints' from nearby residents.

The gatherings are permitted to take place, as long as any music is kept to a level which does not 'cause nuisance' to nearby properties.

In a statement, a council spokesman said: “Over the past few months, we have worked closely with communities in an effort to ensure everyone is able to enjoy their neighbourhoods safely and in line with current social distancing requirements.

“We have recently received a number of noise nuisance complaints from residents on and near Lynwood Rise regarding disruption being caused by music played through speakers during a regular social gathering.

“Members of our noise nuisance team spoke with the resident responsible and we agreed to continually monitor the situation. After further complaints were made, we have subsequently served a noise abatement notice stating thatno amplified music which causes nuisance to the occupiers of nearby properties is played during these regular gatherings.

“This action is designed to ensure excessive noise is kept to a minimum but does not prevent the gatherings taking place or music being played.

“As always, we encourage residents to socialise safely and in line with current restrictions and to be considerate of their neighbours while they do so.”