Janine Green, ASB Practice and Projects Manager at the The Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) considers the challenge anti social noise presents. SLCNG is a national body for England and Wales consisting of over 300 member organisations, all sharing a responsibility for tackling anti social behaviour within our communities. Members manage around 75% of the housing stock and the role of SLCNG  is to help develop and promote best practice. Noise nuisance is […]

Elmbridge Borough Council in Surrey used Noise Action Week promotion to launch development of  their scheme to manage noise from licensed premises. Paul Leadbeater, Principal Environmental Health Officer outlines how this scheme and a Noise Toolkit is helping to keep the peace between neighbours. The Elmbridge BC Noise Code for Licensed Premises (NCLP) was originally launched for consultation during Noise Action Week 2012. This launch took place at a well attended event for the borough’s […]

Micheal Eade is an experienced environmental health practitioner with a background in law. With the publication this week of  long awaited Planning Practice Guidance,  he uses recent cases to examine the role of planning in preventing noise problems in mixed developments. So often complaints of noise come about as a consequence of conflict between the proximity of residential property to commercial or industrial premises. To a certain extent, different land uses and activities need to […]

Din from gyms, bars and brothels is nothing new – author and broadcaster David Hendy considers how the impact on society of global and historical soundscapes must inform our management of neighbourhood noise in today’s complex, crowded cities. A year ago, while recording my BBC Radio 4 series, I found myself at a busy road junction in Accra, the capital city of Ghana.  I could barely hear myself think, surrounded as I was by a […]

Noise Campaigner John Stewart, Chair of the UK Noise Association, offers an opinion on the services currently available to the public when it comes to resolving noise problems. If all local authorities were as good as the best, then far fewer people would be left with a neighbour noise problem.  The value of Noise Action Week is that it showcases best practice. That best practice also includes the best of the private sector.  Organisations like […]

Buzzing boilers, banging builders, loud sex – Nick Handley,  Service Co-ordinator for West Sussex Mediation Service, sets out the extent of noise referrals and how getting neighbours talking can encourage better neighbour relations – and could prevent problems arising.  Noise nuisance is the number one topic for referrals to West Sussex Mediation Service in relation to neighbour disputes, the core business of the charity. The 87 referrals received by the service in 2012/13 is the […]

Pendie Wasswa is a freelance writer, human rights campaigner and mum of two – who has recently discovered the thin walls of city flats and  noise from anonymous neighbours. I love music, yes, but I LOATHE noise, however, I hate silence  – it makes me uncomfortable especially in a room of full of people. When I moved to Brighton, I thought I had made the right choice of having a good time within the vibrant, […]

Press Release Noise Action Week 19th – 20th May 2014 The focus for Noise Action Week 2014 is noise and health and, following positive feedback from last years’ participants, Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) are encouraging all professionals concerned with reducing the impact of noise on health to take part.  EPUK  co-ordinate Noise Action Week – and Environmental Protection Scotland will be supporting activity to raise awareness of noise too. For local authority noise teams, social […]

The EPUK noise committee is concerned at yesterday’s government decision to re-consider a relaxation of licensing laws during the World Cup this summer – Vice Chair Gareth Hooper sets out the issues. The coalition government is at odds over licensing. Liberal Democrat Minister of State for the Home Office, Norman Baker, stated that there would be no automatic right to a late license during the World Cup for England games. However, David Cameron overruled him, […]

Val Weedon, who received an MBE for her work as a noise campaigner is also a music promoter. Val considers recent decisions in managing live music venues near homes. When the relaxation to licensing regulations for live music events was introduced last year with the introduction of the Live Music Act 2012, concerns were raised about a possible increase in complaints. I found myself in a bit of a dilemma, empathising with live music venues […]