Many homeowners – particularly in areas popular with tourists – let their homes for a few nights or weeks to make some extra money. Most of the time this works for both visitors and homeowners. However, in some cases casual lets can cause noise and nuisance problems for neighbours. Earlier this year, the problem was highlighted in Liverpool, where student accommodation is now let to summer party people. This led councillors to pass a motion […]

Headlines in local and national press often blame noise complaints for the closure music venues. There are times when a venue and its neighbours can’t coexist – but planning and building good relationships can go a long way towards enabling peaceful coexistence between entertainment premsies and neighbours. Noise Action Week is an opportunity for local authorities, venues, performers and neighbours to listen to each other when it comes to noise and create a healthy community […]

Noise Action Week 2018 offers a timely opportunity for those involved in noise management to raise awareness of the cost of noise to our health and promote practical ways to prevent noise. This includes local councils, housing providers and acoustics professionals as well as communities blighted by noise. Noise pollution is now recognised by the Chief Medical Officer in England as second only to air pollution in damaging public health. She also says noise is […]

Noise Action Week 2018 offers a timely opportunity for everyone involved in noise management – including local councils, housing providers, acoustics professionals as well as communities blighted by noise – to raise awareness of the cost of noise in our neighbourhoods to our health.   The week is also an opportunity for those involved in activities with the potential to cause noise problems – whether its building work or a music event – to demonstrate they’re […]

While noise impacts everyone in their daily (and nightly) lives, and is increasingly linked to poor heatlh, it is rarely a  matter for national concern. However noise concerns fill the inboxes of local councillors and sometimes MPs. Planning, transport, community policing, licensing, green space and neighbourhood policies all impact on our noise environment. We’ve taken a quick look at the Consevative, Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos to identify any implications for future noise environment in […]

Neighbourhoods around the country in university and college areas are relishing quiet time while students – from school kids to undergraduates – study for exams. However, anyone who lives near student housing knows that the peace could soon be shattered. Once exams are over its rightly time to relax – however noisy all night parties aren’t generally welcomed by neighbours – who may have young children, teenagers still studying, older people or those with health […]

In Nottingham, City Council enforcement teams have merged under the one service ‘Community Protection’.  Senior Community Protection Officer Wayne Hobbs manages a team of 10 Community Protection Officers and there are similar functions across the entire conurbation – in all  a 100 strong team covering the City. He gives us an insight into the work of these officers in keeping  these communities peaceful – especially where there is a high density of lively students. My […]

Noise Action Week 2017 – 22 – 27 May Turn it down for Noise Action Week With recent research showing that loud music and TV are our most complained about noises, the annual Noise Action Week co-ordinated by Environmental Protection UK1 remains as relevant as ever. Noise Action Week2 aims to raise awareness of the impacts of noise in neighbourhoods, the simple solutions to noise pollution and services available to help manage noise problems. Local […]

It is welcome, but rare, to see a story of wealthy celebrities compensating their neighbours (very generously) for noise and disruption caused by building work. Press reports this week that reveal George and Amal Clooney compensated near neighbours while noisy disruptive work to their home was undertaken.  Their apology included a holiday in Corfu, six week stay in a hotel, rental cottage and vacuum cleaner (presumably a low noise one, to deal with dust?). This […]

With spring bank holidays ahead many of us are planning DIY jobs to refurbish or refresh our homes. This work is often noisy when underway. Also, the way we design and decorate our homes can have a big impact on how noisy our homes are and how they impact on our neighbours.  Noise from neighbours can drive us mad – but noise within our own homes can also be a problem.  Many people work or […]