Noise nuisance

The types of noise nuisance we can help with are:

• neighbour noise
• industrial or commercial noise
• DIY or building noise
• noise from pubs or clubs
• bird scarers
• burglar or car alarms
• domestic animals and poultry.

There are types of noise nuisance that we can't help with, such as:

• military noise (including low flying aircraft)
• noise from the emergency services
• one-off incidents of noise
• traffic noise.

It is important that you determine the exact source of the noise, as we will be unable to investigate your complaint without this information. See our guidance on first steps to dealing with a noise problem (PDF, 10 KB)(opens new window) and you may wish to record occurrences on a nuisance record sheet (PDF, 15 KB)(opens new window).

View more information on noise complaints from GOV.UK (opens new window).

Register a burglar alarm or bird scaring device

• If you are a farmer and wish to register a bird scarer you can download our Bird Scaring Devices registration form (PDF, 44 KB)(opens new window) and return it to us.
• If you have a burglar alarm you can register details of key-holders with us by completing and returning our Burglar Alarm registration form (PDF, 56 KB)(opens new window). This helps in the eventuality of your alarm going off and we're unable to contact you, as substantial costs may be incurred by you.

Report a noise nuisance

If possible, approach the source of the noise directly as they may not be aware that they are causing a problem. If this is not possible, or fails to resolve the problem, email us at publicprotection@sholland.gov.uk or call us on 01775 761161.

Investigating noise nuisances

You will be asked to keep a record of when the noise occurs and how it affects you. To keep a record of noise nuisance, download our noise record sheet (PDF, 321 KB)(opens new window).

The source of the noise will be contacted and informed that a complaint has been made against them. Your complaint is dealt with in complete confidence, but it may be obvious to the person who has made the complaint. If the case results in court action your identity may have to be disclosed.

The length of time it takes to investigate noise complaints varies according to the nature of the complaint. Usually we will ask you to keep records for up to one month, depending on the information you send us we may wish to monitor the source of the noise ourselves.

If you do not return completed record sheets we will assume you no longer have a noise problem and we'll close your complaint.

Noise nuisance FAQs

• What can the Council do about noise nuisances?
  If the noise is causing a serious nuisance we have a legal obligation to investigate. For a problem to be a statutory nuisance, it must affect you within your home or garden and be unreasonable. If our investigations prove that there is a statutory nuisance an abatement notice can be served.
   
• What can I do if the council decide that they are unable to take any action?
  You may be able to take your own action. Download advice for taking your own private action (PDF, 24 KB)(opens new window) for more information.