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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

When planning outdoor events in the summer its crucial to consider noise - to protect health of workers and keep the peace with neighbours. Here are some tips on avoiding noise problems from professional event planners. Summer is fast approaching and the outdoor events season is gearing up. If you’re involved in planning an event, it’s crucial to ensure noise isn’t so loud that it’s a potential threat to the hearing of those working at […]

From today, 6 April 2016, planning legislation has been amended to ensure that noise impacts from nearby commercial activity is taken into consideration before change of use of an existing building from office to residential use can be carried out. This amendment to the permitted development right brought in April 2013, is being welcomed by music industry campaigners who have blamed noise complaints for putting many small music venues under threat of closure. While Environmental […]

Counting the cost of noise in neighbourhoods Prevention is cheaper than cure Press Release Noise is never out of the news for long – whether its disputes between neighbours and music venues, the increased hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds, or raised voices and barking dogs. Next week is Noise Action Week, giving services supporting noise sufferers an opportunity to speak up for cost saving, common sense approaches to keeping the peace. Most […]

Better late than never - we’ve had a quick look to see what the political parties promise on noise in their manifestos – and its mostly a bit quiet. Here’s a summary of what they say: Conservatives – specifically mention noise saying better noise barriers will be a part of their planned improved road network. They also promise a programme of pocket parks to provide respite from city streets. Labour - offer to replace low […]

Motor cycles often cause anti social noise problems - especially when exhausts are tampered with to achieve powerful sounding noise. The International Motorcycle Federation is recognising the need for motor cycle sport enthusiasts to keep the noise down and avoid annoyance to neighbours. They have produced a Ride Quiet campaign and are encouraging their networks to promote quieter riding, saying: “Very often, the sound produced by motorcycle activities can become a nuisance to people living […]

In recent years extension of pub licensing hours and liberalisation of licensing for live music has meant that there are a much wider range of opportunities for musicians to perform. However, increasingly, with pressure for housing, and development of inner city brownfield sites, many places where music is played are faced with the prospect of residential neighbours. Many traditional live music venues established themselves in premises in former industrial areas of city centres, with few, […]