Noise nuisance
We can investigate noise nuisances on your behalf and if necessary take action against the person/s causing the nuisance.
Types of noise nuisance
Noise nuisance includes:
- loud music
- dogs barking
- noise from pubs and clubs
- car alarms
- intruder alarms
- industrial noise (e.g. factory/workshop)
- commercial noise (e.g. shop/restaurant)
- open space (e.g. playground)
- construction site noise
* we do not have powers to deal with aircraft, railway and road traffic noise.
To be a nuisance the following is considered:
- disturbance (e.g. by preventing you sleeping)
- loudness
- length of time
- occurrence
- time of day
- type of noise
- locality (e.g. town / countryside)
How to tackle noise nuisance
1. Talk to your neighbour
Try and sort the issue out with the person causing the noise first.
Many people we approach ask why their neighbours did not speak to them directly, as they were unaware of any problem they may be causing.
2. Report it to us
If after speaking to your neighbour you need further help from us to resolve the issue please complete our online form:
Out of hours reporting service
We operate between the hours of:
- Sunday - Thursday: 7pm - 1am
- Friday - Saturday: 7pm - 2am
Call: 01772 794728.
What happens next?
You will be sent a noise nuisance diary (PDF, 91 KB) to support your allegations. For an example and how to complete it see completing a noise nuisance diary (PDF, 54 KB).
If we feel there is a case to investigate we will:
1. Attempt to witness a noise nuisance or alternatively install monitoring equipment in your premises.
2. Write to the person causing the disturbance asking that they reduce the noise.
If after witnessing the noise we are satisfied that a nuisance is occurring, we will serve an Abatement Notice on the person(s) causing the nuisance.
Failure to comply with the notice will normally result in us obtaining a warrant and seizing music equipment from the premises and/or prosecution.
Take your own action
If you would like to take your own action, please visit our how to take your own legal action to deal with a noise nuisance page.
Register your intruder alarm
If you have an intruder alarm installed on your premises, you have a legal responsibility to ensure it does not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. This means making sure your alarm is fitted with an automatic cut-out device, which stops the alarm ringing after 20 minutes from activation.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Council has powers to deal with noise nuisances arising from audible intruder alarms.
If an intruder alarm rings excessively so as to cause, or be likely to cause, a statutory nuisance and a keyholder cannot be contacted, our officers may arrange works to deactivate the alarm and, in the case of unoccupied premises, can obtain warrants to force entry to disable the alarm. The cost incurred is then recovered from the householder and can involve charges for a locksmith, electrician and the officer's time.
Keyholder Registration
The Environmental Protection team maintain a voluntary register of keyholders who our officers will attempt to contact to open the premises and disable or reset the alarm should a complaint be received regarding an audible intruder alarm.
Why register your keyholder(s) details?
We recommend that you register keyholder(s) details with the Council in order that someone can be contacted in case of a nuisance alarm.
Registering your keyholder details helps the Environmental Protection team to alert a contact number(s) provided by yourself, so that the alarm can be attended to as quickly as possible.
By completing the form below and registering your nominated keyholder details, you could avoid substantial costs should your alarm malfunction or be triggered without your knowledge.
How to nominate your keyholder(s)
Nominating your keyholders with the Council is free and should be done using our online form
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