Courtauld Institute’s temporary campus meets resistance from residents

The temporary campus of the Courtauld Institute of Art has encountered resistance from neighbours in its application for a licence to serve alcohol.

The Courtauld is using its new premises at Vernon Square, the former home of SOAS University of London, for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching while its Somerset House home undergoes refurbishment.

However, six residents have taken up opposition to the Courtauld’s application for a licence for events such as the Institute’s ResFest, which hosts talks, performances and exhibits celebrating art history research, free evening of pop-up talks, performances and exhibits that celebrates research in art history, curation and conservation.

One resident said: “In January they had a bagpipe player with lots of people coming in and out of the building. We had all our windows and doors closed but could still hear significant noise.

“As the concerts and some events are likely to be held in the summer months when we have to have our windows and balcony doors open there will be considerable noise as people will be gathering outside.

“It is bad enough when there are just a handful of students outside smoking and talking, but to have large gatherings coming and going, the noise and disturbance are going to be intolerable and [if you] add alcohol to the equation we are going to suffer a lot of disturbance.”

Islington Council will decide on the Courtauld’s application on 21 May.