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 […]

Gareth Hooper, EHO and vice chair of the EPUK noise committee considers options for reducing neighbour noise problems. Noise nuisance continues to blight peoples’ lives, with statistics from the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health (CIEH) revealing the significant majority of complaints to local authorities are about residential noise. A MORI report commissioned by Defra suggests 63% of people hear noise from their neighbours. There is a range of noises and a range of responses - […]

The Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 2013 - 14 sets out amended powers for dealing with anti social behaviour, including noise, intending to provide simpler, more effective powers and acting as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. The suitability and clarity of some of these powers has been questioned by environmental health professionals responsible for enforcing noise regulation throughout its drafting. Having reached it s final readings in the House of Lords last week […]