The unfamiliar sound of mystical chanting, music and late-night clapping has descended on 'Millionaires Row' in East Finchley.

But far from bringing the hoped-for spiritual serenity, the exotic sounds emanating from a mansion in the Bishops Avenue have provoked an indignant response from neighbours fed up at noise that they say goes on until 11.30pm.

Dr Kapil Mathur, 28, the manager of the mansion, is surpised that Barnet Council is to ban him from using the property to teach fee-paying stress elimination courses to the public. He moved into the property in June and since then has been holding Art of Living Foundation courses on a weekly and fortnightly basis.

Dr Mathur said: "I'm shocked as I didn't know I needed planning permission to hold courses here. We finish at the very latest by 10pm and we're not a voodoo cult or anything so we certainly do not chant. I think perhaps residents' lack of understanding on the teachings of our founder have caused this."

Complaints from Dr Mathur's neighbours spurred councillors at a planning meeting on Tuesday to agree to an enforcement notice which means the group now has three months to close down its classes.

The foundation describes itself as an educational non-profit organisation with programmes offering techniques such as yoga and breathing classes. It is all designed to eliminate stress, improve health and expand awareness using the teachings of their founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "We don't like the noise they make but what can you do?"

Hampstead Garden Suburb councillor John Marshall said afterwards: "I understand enforcement action will be taken. It's quite wrong that residential houses should be used for other purposes."

October 31, 2001 17:50

SARAH MILLS