Complaints about excessive noise are investigated by officers who can take action if the noise is considered to be a statutory nuisance.
When is a noise nuisance a statutory nuisance?
Noise nuisance is covered by Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Before action can be taken we have to be sure that the noise constitutes a statutory nuisance. This means that we have to prove that the noise is prejudicial to health and/or is causing an unreasonable and persistent disturbance to your lifestyle.
Neighbourhood noise
Excessive noise from neighbours can be frustrating and can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and worry. In many cases, the person making the noise is unaware that they are causing a problem and therefore the problem can be sorted out quite quickly by an informal visit from an Environmental Health Officer.
Where this approach fails we can serve a notice on the offending party requiring them to abate the nuisance. If such a notice is not complied with then legal action can follow.
The Authority will not deal with complaints in respect of certain incidents such as one off parties and barbecues.
Commercial noise
Noise from commercial premises is often dealt with in the same way as that from a domestic premises. However, there are additional controls to prevent public nuisance from pubs, clubs and similar premises which are licensed by the Council. Action can be taken against supervisors of premises that operate outside of their licensing agreement.
Construction sites
Construction sites are a very common source of noise pollution. Construction noise is an anticipated part of a development and therefore a restriction on working hours is often prescribed as part of the planning permission. Noise from construction sites is also covered by the statutory nuisance provisions of Part III the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Industrial noise
Noise from industrial sites is also covered by the statutory nuisance provisions of Part III the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Aircraft noise
Aircraft noise is excluded from Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which means that we have no direct responsibility in relation to noise from aircraft departing or landing.
You can report an incident of noise pollution online
Contact Information
Telephone: 01443 425001
Emergency Out of Hours Telephone: 01443 425011
Email: PublicHealthProjectSupport@Rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk