Noise

What noise problems can the council investigate?

Noise nuisance can happen at any time of the day or night. There is no legal time frame for when noise is considered a problem. This depends on the type of noise, how often it happens and how long it lasts.

Environmental health can look into noise complaints such as: 

• barking dogs
• noisy neighbours (loud music, TV, DIY and fireworks)
• burglar and car alarms
• construction and demolition work
• noise from commercial and industrial activities
• noise from pubs, clubs and other entertainment venues

The anti-social behaviour team will investigate complaints about anti-social behaviour, including noise in the street from loud shouting and people gathering, for example. Visit the anti-social behaviour page for more details.

Housing services will investigate noise complaints where a council owned residential property is the source of the complaint. For complaints about council properties telephone 01325 405333 or email [email protected]

What can you do?

Most noise complaints, particularly those involving neighbours, can be sorted informally by talking to the person responsible. Often people are unaware they are causing a problem and will do what they can to reduce the noise without the need to involve ‘the council’. If this is not successful or you are not comfortable doing so you can make a noise complaint.

Making a noise nuisance complaint to Environmental Health

Before reporting a noise nuisance please consider the advisory notes below on how your complaint will be investigated. If you wish to make a complaint please complete the eforms below or call 01325 405111.  Alternatively you can email [email protected]

To report a noise nuisance from a commercial or any other premises please call or email Environmental Health.

More advice

• Investigation of domestic noise complaints [pdf document]
• Investigation of barking dogs noise complaints [pdf document]
• Steps to reduce noise [pdf document]

Report barking dogs

 Report a domestic noise nuisance

Details we need include:

• your name, address, email and telephone number (details will be kept confidential)
• the address or location of the noise
• the type of noise being created (for example: barking dog, loud music) and details on when and how long the noise happens

This information is important for us to deal with your complaint as quickly as possible. Anonymous complaints and complaints where the source of the noise is not properly known cannot always be fully investigated.