Noise
- The word 'noise' derives from the Latin word 'nausea' meaning sickness
- Noise is not a new problem, as early as 720 BC authorities in an Italian city introduced noise zoning into local planning laws
- Britains cities are up to 10 times noisier than a decade ago - Sheffield University Study
- Noise harms more than our ears. Studies have correlated noise with physiological changes in sleep, blood pressure and digestion
Noise or unwanted sound can be one person's enjoyment and another's headache. The level and frequency of noise will be acceptable to one person and not to another. Excessive noise can reduce the quality of life, causing sleepless nights, stress and in some cases anger.
Local authorities have a duty to investigate complaints of noise where it comes from a domestic or commercial premise, a vehicle alarm or mechanical equipment (not traffic) under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Part III - Statutory Nuisance and the Noise Act 1996.
Noise annoys when the volume is high, if it occurs at the 'wrong time' or without warning, hence the need to establish frequency, duration and severity of any noise reported as a complaint. These are the key parameters which local authority environmental protection officers use for Statutory Nuisance.
There is no specific decibel level identified in statutory nuisance which says you can have sound up to a particular level nor is there a time at which all noise must stop.
NB: If you live in tenanted accommodation, your tenancy agreement may however state a time - a breach of your tenancy agreement can lead, should the problem continue, to the loss of your home.
What can you do if you suffer noise?
- From your neighbours
- House/car alarms
- Commercial properties - music from a public house, generators, air pumps etc
- Barking dogs
In the first instance, try to speak or write to the alleged perpetrators and establish a understanding with them about the problem. Explain how it is affecting you - they may not be aware of the problem! Try to give the person(s) facts e.g. "did you realise your dog barks whilst you are out? I hear it all day pining/barking and it does cause me distress". Your concern is likely to get a good response if you do it in a calm and reasonable manner, despite how you might actually feel about the situation. If you are the tenant of a Housing Association you are recommended to contact your landlord before trying Environmental Health."
If this doesn't work, you can contact Environmental Health at Bracknell Forest Council using the contact details on the right or by filling in the report a noise nuisance online form. The form takes about 5 minutes to complete online and you can monitor your progress using the progress bar at the bottom of the screen. Please ensure you read the important notes on the first page before you fill in the form.
An investigation process will then be initiated by a case officer, who will contact you to discuss the problem you are suffering. If you can identify the alleged perpetrator's address, this will help us speed up our response in resolving the complaint. Anonymous calls are difficult to deal with as this prevents us from discussing the details with you, establishing how we can help to resolve the problem and whether the problem is actually resolved. You will be asked to keep a diary sheet of events to show when, and how these affect you.
Not all problems are resolvable. An officer must witness the noise and/or establish a statutory nuisance before any formal action i.e. the service of an Abatement Notice can be made. Every effort will be made to resolve the problem informally. We may offer mediation.
If, for whatever reason, the officer does not prove a statutory nuisance and you wish to take the case further, you can either complain direct to a magistrates court using section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, or use civil action. It is highly recommended that should you wish to follow this route with or without previous local authority involvement, that legal advice is obtained.
 |
Listen |  |
Feedback |  |
Downloads
Bothered by Noise (835kb)- Barking Dogs Leaflet (136kb)
