Noise Pollution

Noise or unwanted sound can cause annoyance, stress and in extreme circumstances, sleep deprivation.

The range of noise problems we deal with includes:

However, the Council does not have powers to deal with aircraft, railway and road traffic noise. Also, the Council's Social and Economic Development staff deal with noise problems that arise from Council properties. Complaints about noise from Council tenants should be directed to the Housing team on 01664 502502.

Whilst most noise problems can often be resolved informally between neighbours, we do have powers to take action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with complaints of noise nuisance.

In most cases the Council deals with noise problems by assessing whether the noise is unreasonable taking into account factors such as loudness, time of day, how often it occurs and how long it lasts. Noise which is unreasonable is then dealt with as a 'statutory nuisance' under the powers in the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Complainants should be aware that we must witness the noise before taking action, and if the noise is thought to be a statutory nuisance the law requires us to serve an 'abatement notice' on the person responsible.

The scope of the notice will vary with different circumstances, and may require an immediate stop to the noise or prohibit its recurrence, or, in cases where some work is necessary, allow a specified time for compliance.

Failure to comply with an abatement notice is an offence and the Council can prosecute. We may also take what is called 'default action' in some cases, and this could involve disabling car or intruder alarms or seizing stereo equipment.

Please contact Environmental Health if you require further information or you wish to make a complaint about a noise nuisance.

The Defra website provides useful information on noise including a downloadable booklet 'Bothered by Noise', which offers important advice on dealing with noise problems.

How to complain and how we investigate

Complaints can be made to Environmental Health.  Please also see the pages on 'making a complaint'.

Please note that complaints about noise from Council properties should be made to the Council's Housing department on 01664 502502 and not to Environmental Health.