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 online.
By phone
Telephone: 01799 510510
If the noise is happening out of office hours, then please call us the next working day 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.
Online
Use the online form to tell us about a noise problem.
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.
① 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.
|
② 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.
|
③ 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.
|
④ 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.
Share this page
