Its National Science and Engineering Week, and Dr Mike Goldsmith, scientist, acoustician and author, considers how his own history of noise exposure has affected his hearing health, and why we should all listen to scientists when it comes to the effect noise has on our hearing. As a scientist and noise historian, I have been known to look back with regret to those halcyon days, sometime after the Second World War, during which, when scientists […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]