In response to your complaint an officer from
the Environmental Services Section will usually wish to discuss
your complaint with you before taking action. You can normally
expect an initial visit or telephone call within one working day
dependent on the urgency of the complaint but all complaints will
receive attention within five working days. Where action is the
responsibility of another agency your complaint will be referred to
the appropriate authority and you will be advised accordingly, eg
if the complaint is about aircraft noise we will refer it to the
Military or Civil Aviation bodies.
The officer will explain to you what action is
to be taken. This usually involves the officer hearing the noise
and then making an informal approach in the first instance to the
person or persons you have complained about. Afterwards a letter
may also be sent advising that a complaint has been made and asking
them to take any steps that may be necessary to reduce the noise.
The officer may also ask you to keep a record of any further
disturbances following the visit. (This record may be used if a
more formal action is taken later). Please use the
Pollution
Control: Odour, Noise and Smoke Complaint: Diary Sheet (PDF:
113Kb / 1 page) to make your record.
If the noise continues an officer will normally
make three or more visits to assess the extent of the disturbance
and to see whether, in his/her judgement, the noise represents a
statutory nuisance. Automatic recording equipment may also be used
in some situations to assess intermittent disturbance but, in most
cases it will be necessary for an officer to witness the noise
before formal action can be taken. If the noise occurs outside
normal office hours visits will be made at times when the noise is
likely to occur, or alternatively automatic recording equipment may
be brought to your house.
If the officer is satisfied that a statutory
nuisance exists a Noise Abatement Notice will be served on the
person(s) causing the problem. Where work is required to meet the
terms of the notice a period of time will be given to allow work to
be carried out. Failure to comply with the notice is a criminal
offence and the persons can be prosecuted. If the notice specifies
the carrying out of work and this is not done, the Council may
decide to do it itself and recover the costs from the persons(s)
responsible.
There are some occasions where the Council is
unable to take action, particularly where the noise occurs
intermittently and is not judged to be a statutory nuisance. If the
Council decides that formal action cannot be taken you will be
informed and given advice about taking action yourself if you wish
to do so.
You will be informed in writing when the Council
has concluded the investigation of your complaint in accordance
with this procedure.
For further information:
