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Report a noise nuisance

If you're having a problem with noise like loud music, noisy pubs, rowdy parties or barking dogs in your neighbourhood, you can report it to us.

If you are reluctant to speak to your neighbour or you have already done so and the noise problem has not been resolved you can make a complaint to us.
 

Before you make a report

Use our noise toolkit to check if you are able to resolve the problem yourself without taking formal action. It is also a vital aid in gathering evidence, a necessity for officers to fully understand your case, and to help your case progress.
 

Report it

You can tell us about a noise problem by telephone or by completing a noise nuisance report.

By phone

Telephone: 01799 510510

8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday
9am to 4.30pm Friday
10am last Wednesday of the month

If the noise is happening out of office hours, then please contact us the next working day on 01799 510510 to speak to an Environmental Health Officer about your concerns.

You can also get in touch with us using alternative methods via our contact us page.

Complete a noise nuisance report

Initial report of alleged noise nuisance (PDF, 357 KB)

When making a complaint you must include:

  • your name, address, and if possible contact telephone number(s) and your email
  • the address you are complaining about and the type of nuisance (e.g. loud music, a barking dog, an extractor fan etc.)
  • when and for how long the nuisance normally occurs
  • the way the nuisance affects you, such as it prevents you from sleeping

Please send your completed noise nuisance report to uconnect@uttlesford.gov.uk or by post to Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER.

Anonymous complaints will not be investigated.
 

How we investigate a complaint

The Environmental Protection Team has a duty to investigate and take action where a complaint of noise disturbance amounts to a statutory nuisance.

We assess if the noise is a statutory nuisance

While the term "statutory nuisance" is not precisely defined in law, it generally means that the noise must unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of property, as assessed by a reasonable person.   

When assessing if an alleged nuisance is a statutory nuisance, an Environmental Health Officer will make an assessment based on these points:

  • the time(s) at which it happens
  • how often it happens
  • how long it lasts
  • the volume or intensity of the alleged nuisance
  • the location and characteristics of the area where the alleged nuisance takes place

Find out what counts as a statutory nuisance and how councils can deal with complaints by issuing an abatement notice on GOV.UK.

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We issue a letter

Our normal response to a noise complaint is, in the first instance, to send a letter to the person who you believe to be making the noise, with the aim of resolving the matter informally.

The letter to the alleged person(s) responsible, does not state who has made the complaint.

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Ask you to complete a noise diary

If the matter persists, we will also ask you to complete a noise diary (PDF, 216 KB) of any further incidents.

If you submit a completed noise diary, we will assess the log, and if we consider there is a justified complaint, we may install noise monitoring equipment or make a visit to determine whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance.

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We may serve a noise abatement notice

If we witness the noise and decide it is a statutory nuisance, then we will serve a noise abatement notice on the person responsible, requiring abatement of the nuisance.

If a person fails to comply with a noise abatement notice, then we can consider seizing and confiscating any audio equipment and prosecuting offenders in the magistrates' court.

 

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