Noise Pollution

Excessive noise can make life a misery. Noisy Neighbours, disturbance from traffic and aircraft, noise from industry or construction sites and barking dogs are just some of the problems that can be experienced.

Noisy Neighbours

Many noise problems, particularly those involving neighbours, can be resolved informally, for example, by explaining to your neighbours the difficulties they are causing. Approach your neighbour and explain politely that you are being troubled by noise. You may find this difficult, but often people are unaware that they are causing a problem. Most will be glad to do what they can to reduce noise. However, approach the matter carefully if you think your neighbour might react angrily to a complaint. If this approach fails the Council may be able to help.

Should you wish to make a complaint they can be made in person, by telephone, by email (environmental.health@blaby.gov.uk), or by letter to the Environmental Protection Team. Your complaint should include:-

·           Your name and address and (where possible) a daytime phone number.

·           The address or site where the noise is coming from and the type of noise for example barking dogs, loud music

·           When and for how long the noise occurs (it will help if you keep a written record of the times and dates when the problem has occurred.)

·           The way the noise affects you for example stops you from sleeping

·           Anything you have done to try to deal with the problem for example speaking to the person making the noise.

Details of your name and address will be kept in strictest confidence. Occasionally, however, the person you have made a complaint about may guess who has complained or may approach you to ask if you have made the complaint.

If the Council decides to take legal action in respect of your complaint, you will be asked to provide a statement and may be required to appear in Court as a witness. We would discuss this with you fully at the time and take your wishes into account.

On receipt of your complaint, we may have to ask you for additional information, if we do not have all the above details. If the problem is the responsibility of another agency we will advise you accordingly.

The Council's usual initial step in dealing with neighbour noise complaints is to write to the person alleged to be causing the disturbance telling them that a complaint has been made, and advising that investigations will be made should the Council receive further complaints. We aim to write to the person alleged to be causing the disturbance within 3 working days of receipt of your complaint.

At the same time we will write to you to acknowledge receipt of your complaint and may ask you to complete a log sheet, giving details of any further disturbances during the following 2 weeks or so. This record may be used if legal action is subsequently necessary.

If you feel that the noise problem has not improved following our letter to the noisemaker, you should then send the noise log sheet back to us so that an investigation can be made.

We will assess the log sheet and determine the extent of the disturbance. Where necessary, an Officer will normally make up to three visits to assess the extent of the disturbance and determine whether the noise represents a Statutory Nuisance. Where necessary, visits will be made outside normal office hours. Noise recording equipment is used in many situations to access intermittent disturbances.

If the Officer is satisfied that a Statutory Nuisance exists, a Noise Abatement Notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 will be served on the person causing the problem. A period of time will be given to allow it to be complied with. Failure to comply with the notice after that time is a criminal offence and the person could be prosecuted.

There are some occasions where the Council is unable to take action, particularly where the noise occurs intermittently and is not judged to be a Statutory Nuisance. If the Council decides that formal action cannot be taken, you will be informed and you will be given advice about taking action yourself if you wish to do so.

Barking dogs are dealt with in the same way; however investigations are more likely to be carried out by the dog wardens.