Concerns over noise pollution, traffic and student safety have been raised as a decision is due to be made on whether planned activities at a city centre market can go ahead.

Organisers of a Christmas market on Broad Street will await the city council’s decision on whether planned activities can go ahead despite concerns about noise pollution, traffic and student safety.

Oxford City Council will decide whether to grant the organisers, Keston Events Limited, with a new premises license, which would allow them to sell alcohol and play live music, at the licensing sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, November 20.

The market would include a bar and stage area for live music, with space for seating and standing tables, as well as stalls selling various gift items, food and beverages.

(Image: Contributed) A member of staff at Balliol College objected to the licensing application, while Bodleian Libraries also raised potential issues to the organisers.

Mrs Jennifer Smith, domestic bursar at Balliol College, submitted a comment expressing concerns for students’ safety, “excessive” noise pollution, and difficulty accessibility to the road and college entrance.

In a written comment she said: “The two-storey bar is located very close to Balliol College.

“We have concerns about privacy issues and public nuisance for student residential rooms facing Broad Street.

“The location of the stage makes this an even bigger concern, impacting study, working, teaching, and living in the College.”

Approximately 50 students’ bedrooms and 15 offices have windows that directly face Broad Street.

(Image: Mike Peel/Wikimedia Commons) She also stated that the College is “greatly concerned about noise pollution” from the music, and that the main entrance to the market is directly outside the primary entrance to the College, which “raises significant accessibility, security, and health and safety concerns”.

The College has also expressed concerns that traffic issues on Broad Street will be compounded by the market.

A representative of Bodleian Libraries also asked the event organisers to consider the noise levels, given that students, staff and researchers work in the libraries near Broad Street.

They also point out that the vice chancellor of the university, as well as a large number of Bodleian staff, have offices in the Clarendon Building on Broad Street, and could be affected by high noise levels.

They state that the Bodleian Old Library, Radcliffe Camera and Weston Library would be affected.

(Image: Oxford City Council) According to the event plan from the application, the market will not impinge on traffic routes passing along Broad Steet.

Thames Valley Police has raised no objection to the application, while Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has “no adverse comments”.

The construction work on the market will begin on Monday, November 18 and is scheduled to finish on the evening of Friday, November 22.

The market is due to open on Saturday, November 23 and close on Sunday, 5 January 2025.