Newark and Sherwood District Council advises on noise complaints

When a member of the public makes a noise complaint, officers of the District Council have a duty to investigate and determine whether the noise is considered a statutory noise nuisance.

For noise to constitute a statutory nuisance, it must be a noise which substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of their home or other premises or injure health or be likely to injure health. The factors that may determine this can include:

• the time of day the noise occurs
• how loud the noise is
• how long the noise lasts
• the reason for the noise
• the character of the noise, i.e., bass beat or high pitched
• how often the noise occurs
• your location.

If officers of the District Council determine a statutory nuisance is happening or is likely to occur or recur in the future, it is the duty of the District Council to serve an abatement notice in line with Environmental Protection Act 1990. This requires whoever is responsible for the statutory nuisance to stop or restrict it.

Jenny Walker, Business Manager for Public Protection at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We have a duty to investigate any noise complaints reported by members of the public, and to determine if it is causing a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

“There are clear processes that our officers follow during the investigation of noise complaints, and these are currently in progress in relation to The Flying Circus in Newark.”

To find out more about reporting noise complaints visit: https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/noisenuisance/