Noise

The Environment and Health Department has an Area Health Team who have powers to deal with a wide range of noise problems including:

• Loud music
• Domestic noise such as DIY work and barking dogs
• Construction site noise
• Noise from pubs and clubs
• Car and intruder alarms
• Noise from commercial premises

If you experience a noise problem, the first step to take is to approach the person creating the noise and gently discuss the issue with him to try to resolve issue. If this is unsuccessful and if the problem is persistent keep a log of how often the noise occurs and how it affects you (e.g. you could hear it over your television) and contact the Area Health Team to discuss your problem.

There are a number of ways that we may help you depending on each individual case we may send the person causing the problem a letter or we may serve him with an abatement notice. In some cases we may not be able to help you, in this instance you are able to take your own private action against the person causing the noise.

Guidance leaflets for the following are available under the relevant documents section:

Dealing with noise
Taking your own legal action against noise
Noise from do it yourself building works
Considerate contractor advice note

This department operates an "out of hours" noise hotline on 01273 484340.  From 4.30pm Friday, and over the weekend, noise nuisance complaints will be picked up and dealt with by an Environmetnal Health Officer.

During the summer months a Noise Patrol is also operated at weekends when officers will patrol the district and visit premises where a statutory noise nuisance is occuring.

Please contact 01273 484362 or email ehealth@lewes.gov.uk for further information or advice.

Domestic Noise

Noise from neighbours can be very annoying or disturbing.  The majority of noise problems can be resolved amicably by talking to the responsible person, as they may be unaware their activities are causing a disturbance, avoiding the need for Environmental Health involvement.  However, if this does not help to resolve the issue we may be able to help.

Noise from Barking Dogs

Constant whining or barking can also annoy.  Many owners do not realise the problem is occurring as it can happen when a dog has been left alone in a property.  As with domestic noise issues disturbance from a barking dog can usually be resolved by talking to the owner.  If this does not help to resolve the issue we may be able to help.

Burglar Alarms

Burglar alarms on business premises or domestic premises can be a useful deterrent but, occasionally, give rise to serious noise nuisance due to false alarms or faulty setting.

In order to avoid creating a noise nuisance homeowners and businesses should ensure the alarm has a cut-out device and that key-holders can be readily contacted (within 20 minutes).

If an alarm continues to sound we may have no option but to take formal action which can include the service of a Noise Abatement Notice and the silencing of the alarm at the owner's expense.

You can help to reduce the possibility of a nuisance arising by:

• Informing your neighbours of key-holder contact details
• Ensuring the alarm is installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
• Undertaking regular servicing
• Ensuring that key-holders know how to silence the alarm effectively
• Ensuring that the cut-out device, where possible allows the alarm to sound for no more than twenty minutes and that it re-triggers no more than 3 times

Vehicle Alarms

If an alarm sounds to such an extent that a statutory noise nuisance is caused and the keeper cannot be contacted within a reasonable period of time, we may have no option but to take formal action.  This can include service of a Noise Abatement or silencing of the alarm.

You can help prevent this occurring by:

• Ensuring that windows are closed when the alarm is activated
• Installing the alarm in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
• Undertaking regular servicing
• Adjusting the sensitivity settings
• Ensuring the cut out device limits the time it sounds and number of times it re-triggers
• Ensure the DVLA has up to date information enabling the keeper of the vehicle to be contacted before formal action is deemed necessary

Noise from Construction

There are no set hours during which this work can take place.  It is normally expected however, that they will not be undertaken at night or on Sundays or Bank Holidays.  Work on these sites often starts at 7am on weekdays.

Noise levels should be minimised where possible and machinery fitted with silencing devices where practicable.  In some cases contractors may request "prior consent" under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 for noise emissions.  In these instances conditions may be placed on such as hours of operation, methods of work, plant and equipment used and noise limits.

Further information on noise can also be obtained from DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on their website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/).

Commercial Noise

Businesses may be restricted by conditions on their Planning Permission regarding the hours they can work.  However, if they have unrestricted hours of use, then we will investigate a complaint and may be able to restrict the hours or reduce their noise.

You may be required to keep a noise diary, detailing duration, frequency, and effect upon you.  Should we prove a significant problem, legal action may be taken.  This would require supporting evidence from you.

The law relating to business premises is slightly different from domestic noise as they can defend themselves by proving that they are using the "best practicable means" to prevent the nuisance.

Road Noise

If a road has recently been built, consequently leading to an increase in the local noise levels, there may be compensation available and you should contact East Sussex County Council and discuss the matter with them.  However, if your concerns relate to an existing road, then there is no legislation in place that allows us to deal with noise from vehicles moving on the highway apart from defective vehicles.  In such a case then please contact the police on 0845 6070999.