Excessive noise can cause disruption and stress. National research has shown that our capacity to make noise is increasing, with loud music and barking dogs highlighted the most widespread noise problems. The Council's Environmental Health Officers believe that poor sound insulation, incompatible lifestyles and a high expectation of quiet are the main reasons behind many of the hundreds of noise complaints they deal with every year.
If it is a Council property, it must be referred to the relevant Area Housing Office. The Environmental Health service only deals with noise from private and commercial properties.
Yes, details of the Intruder Alarm Keyholder Registration Scheme is here.
The Environmental Health Officers can make pre-arranged visits out of office hours to investigate ongoing noise complaints. If a complaint is received by the call centre out of office hours, it will normally be passed to an officer the next working day.
No – we do not tell the person complained about, who has complained, but you must tell us your name, address and telephone number, or we will not investigate your complaint.
We do not have a 24-hour call-out service to deal with alarms. We will normally start to deal with an alarm complaint on the day we receive the complaint. If we receive the complaint at weekend, we will deal with it the next working day.
As part of the development control (planning application) process, we can look at what is in planning approvals to control noise levels.
Whatever the cause or reasons, noise affects everyone's quality of life. The Council is urging everybody to:
The Borough Council is also encouraging positive neighbour relations, with our top tips to being a considerate neighbour.
For information, assistance and advice on noise nuisance and the Registered Keyholder Scheme, please contact the Environmental Health Service team on 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400.