Complaints about excessive noise are investigated by officers
who can take action if the noise is considered to be a statutory
nuisance.
When is noise nuisance a statutory nuisance?
Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental
Protection Act 1990. This law empowers local authorities to deal
with noise from fixed premises. Before action can be taken we have
to be sure that the noise constitutes a statutory nuisance. This
means that we have to prove that the noise is prejudicial to health
and/or is causing an unreasonable and persistent disturbance to
your lifestyle.
There are a number of different sources of noise pollution and
therefore the service is categorised into the following: -
- neighbourhood noise (e.g loud music)
- commercial noise (e.g noisy machinery, pubs and clubs)
Neighbourhood noise
Excessive noise from neighbours can be frustrating and can
cause a lot of unnecessary stress and worry. In many cases, the
person making the noise is unaware that they are causing a problem
and therefore the problem can be sorted out quite quickly.
Where this approach fails we can serve a notice on the
offending party requiring them to abate the nuisance. If such a
notice is not complied with then legal action can follow.
Commercial noise
Noise from commercial premises is often dealt with in the same
way as that from a domestic premises. However, in some cases we may
not need to prove a statutory nuisance where the premises holds a
public entertainment licence. These licences are issued in order to
ensure that the disturbance caused to the general public is kept to
a minimum. Action can be taken against a premises that operates
outside of its licensing agreement.
Construction sites are a very common source of noise
pollution. They are often in areas which were quiet beforehand and
therefore the noise generated from their activities are very
noticeable. Construction noise is an anticipated part of a
development and therefore a restriction on working hours is often
prescribed as part of the planning permission.
Other Noise Services
Richmondshire District Council provide a Croft Circuit Information Line
For further information about noise problems please
contact:
Environment Services
Friars Wynd
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4RT
Tel: 01748 829100 Fax: 01748 826186
Friars Wynd
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 4RT
Tel: 01748 829100 Fax: 01748 826186
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Last updated:
03 February 2009
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