Noise Nuisance

Most people are subjected to a certain degree of noise as a fact of everyday life, but noise can be unreasonable depending on how loud it is, the time of the day and how long the noise has been going on for.

The majority of complaints that we receive relate to domestic noise nuisances (loud music etc), and house/car alarms. The council has powers to deal with complaints of noise where we can prove that a statutory nuisance exists.

If a nuisance can be proven (a nuisance being unreasonable emission of noise at an unreasonable volume or length of time, that affects you at home in a significant way) the council can serve an abatement notice requiring the noise to stop or limiting the occasions when the noise may occur. It is a criminal offence not to comply with an abatement notice.

Noise nuisance can however be easily avoided!

• Have regard for your neighbours! Ensure that your neighbours can’t hear your HIFI or TV
• Don’t slam doors or make deliberate excessive noise
• If you have an alarm fitted to your home – make sure that it is fitted with a 20 minute cut-off device and register a keyholder with the council and the police station. We do have the power to break into you home to silence your alarm if a nuisance exists!

You can download a keyholder information form here

If you have an alarm fitted to your car – make sure it is fitted with a 5 minute cut-off device. We also have the power to break into you car to silence your alarm if a nuisance occurs, or even tow it away!

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Noise and other nuisance can reduce the quality of life for some people. To avoid creating such a problem, or if you have such a problem please click on the defra logo for advice.

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