Noise Pollution
A certain amount of noise is an inevitable consequence of modern life, but if noise becomes persistent and unreasonable to interfere with the enjoyment of your home it becomes a major problem and a nuisance. The following are types of noise complaints that could be investigated for nuisance:
Domestic Noise – This includes amplified music, parties, regular DIY & building work, animal noise, house intruder & vehicle alarms.
Commercial Noise – This includes the operation of industrial and commercial processes, delivery noise, demolition & construction site noise, entertainment and leisure noise from pubs and restaurants.
The Council is unable to take action over a noise disturbance from: Children, Roads and Railways, Aircraft, or Wildlife.
Noise from Construction Sites
Construction noise is part of development and therefore a restriction on working hours is prescribed as part of their planning permission, however The Control of Pollution Act 1974 gives powers to the Council to restrict working hours and allow conditions to be stipulated on the types of machinery/ plant that are used on construction sites.
The Council expect noisy work on construction and demolition sites to be limited to:
- Monday to Friday – 08:00 to 18:00-hrs
- Saturday - 09:00 to 13:00-hrs
- No works on Sundays or Public Holidays
If you are intending to do large scale DIY please ensure you inform all your neighbours who may be affected by noise. Give them advance warning of the works and inform them of the duration and type of works that you intend to carry out.
Vehicle and Intruder Alarms
Alarms to aid security in homes, offices, factories and vehicles. To avoid disturbance to the public, all such alarm systems should be properly installed and maintained and be fitted with an automatic cut-out device so they do not continue to make a noise after 20 minutes following activation of the alarm
Three Rivers Council offers a voluntary intruder alarm registration scheme for home owners and businesses.
Registering your alarm will provide contact names and telephone numbers for key holders so that someone can be contacted if your alarm is reported to be causing a nuisance or annoyance.
The aim of this is to notify the persons responsible for the alarm or their nominated key-holders without the need for any formal action. If you wish to register key-holder details please complete the Alarm Key Holder Form (pdf).
Making a noise complaint
If you are affected by noise nuisance you should first try to resolve the problem direct with the person making the noise. In many cases it may simply be that they are unaware of the problem.
If you are still experiencing issues you can report a noise complaint using the online form.
Following this please use the Noise App and the Noise Nuisance Diary Sheets (docx) to provide evidence of noise.
Three Rivers Council do not provide an 'out of hours' service. All out of hours complaints should be reported to the council either by phone, email or online and they will be logged on the next working day.