Noise complaints are costing Hambleton District Council and its taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds a year, officials say.
The council’s environmental health service says it dealt with 343 enquires about noise nuisance in the last 12 months – varying from domestic noise caused by dog barking and loud music, to complaints about noise from commercial or industrial premises such as extractor fans or deliveries.
Officers estimate that it costs between £130 and £7,000 to deal with a complaint.
This excludes the cost to the complainant of disturbance, lost sleep and time collecting evidence if a problem is subject to investigation.
Council staff say they try to deal with each complaint informally initially, but if necessary can install noise equipment to record the levels or visit the complainants home to witness the noise.
If the noise is unreasonable there are a range of legal powers that can be used to get the noise reduced or stopped.
“Generally people are quite responsive when they are told there is a noise problem and will try to reduce the noise or agree to a compromise,” said leader of the council, Councillor Mark Robson.
“But there are always cases that require more investigation. Last year we launched a ‘noise app’ for residents troubled by on-going noise nuisance to help speed that process up.”
Officers are using this week’s Noise Action Week to raise awareness of the cost of noise to the health and wellbeing of communities and individuals.
Noise pollution is now recognised by the chief medical officer in England as second only to air pollution in damaging public health.
Noise impacts on sleep, affecting performance and mental health. Noise in particular is the single largest cause of complaints to local authorities.
To get in touch with the environmental health team contact 01609 779977 or EnvHealthTechSupp@hambleton.gov.uk
For more information visit https://www.hambleton.gov.uk/noisenuisance
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