Bothered by Noise? There’s no need to suffer NOISE Introduction

What can you do about About this booklet noise?

It is a fact of life that we all make This leaflet indicates how to deal The advice contained in this leaflet noise. Whether we are talking to with excessive noise. It has been applies to and is a others, playing music, entertaining, arranged in three sections. guide to your rights and the sort of driving in our cars or just going action that can be expected from your about our daily business, we all 1. Informal and Formal Action- distinct council. However, it is not an generate noise. What is a noise to Explains what to do about noise authoritative interpretation of the one person may be pleasurable to from neighbours, local commercial legislation. The penalties and fines another. and industrial premises and vehicle referred to in this text are subject to Excessive noise can reduce quality noise. revision from time to time. of life, harm health, interfere 2. Additional Noise Controls- Tells you with communications, reduce about byelaws and specific controls professional performance and relating to construction sites and weaken the immune system. In loudspeakers. some cases, it can even destroy one’s life entirely. In 2008 the 3. Planning to Stop the Noise- shows charity Environmental Protection how to get involved in the planning UK carried out the National stages of a potential noise source Noise Survey. 17% of those who to ensure it does not become a participated in the survey were problem. It also contains details bothered, annoyed or disturbed by of sources of further information. noise from their neighbours inside their homes. Thus, it appears that a significant number of people in the UK may benefit form the information and advice contained in this leaflet.

2 3 Introduction

What is noise? Below are examples of typical sound levels.

Sound Level in Decibels

Noise has been given a variety Noise is often categorised as Sound Level Environmental Conditions of definitions, depending on the follows: (dB(A)) circumstances in which it occurs and the effects it produces. Noise is 140 Threshold of pain (134dB(A))* Industrial - manufacturing, different to sound. Sound is a variation • workshops, agricultural; in pressure that can be detected by 130 Commercial and leisure – the ear, while noise is considered to • entertainment, sports and leisure 120 Loud Nightclub standing at speaker (120dB(A)) be “sound which is undesired by the premises, petrol stations, car recipient”. In other words noise can be washes, hot food premises, bars, any sound which intrudes, disturbs or 110 restaurants, shops, offices, security annoys. alarms; 100 Pneumatic drill at 5 m (100 dB(A)) Sound is measured in decibels (dB). • Domestic - DIY, music, television, Heavy goods vehicle from pavement The threshold of human hearing is parties, animal noise, shouting, 90 Powered lawnmower at operators ear 5dB and a sound of around 150dB is house alarms, and other thought to produce instantaneous neighbourhood noise; 80 Average traffic on street corner (74 dB(A)) hearing damage. However, volume is • Construction, demolition and road Vacuum cleaner at 3m not the only thing that can affect one’s works; 70 Telephone ringing at 2m response to sound. Unexpected sound, • Transport – road vehicles, railways, Conversational Speech repetitive bass beats, screeches or civil and military aircraft, vehicle 60 Typical business office (54 dB(A)) whines can be just as annoying. alarms, delivery vehicles; and 50 Living room in suburban area • Street noise – loudspeakers, ice Refrigerator humming at 2m cream van chimes, street traders 40 Library (34 dB(A)) and performers and public addresses. 30 Bedroom at Night 20 Broadcasting Studio (14 dB(A)) 10 Threshold of hearing 0 * A-weighted – the main way of adjusting measured sound pressure to levels which take into account human 4 hearing and our uneven frequency response. 5 Section 1 – Informal and Formal Action

Informal Action Formal Action

A Quiet Word Mediation Who to Complain To

If you are concerned about noise If the direct approach does not When informal action is not possible Formal noise complaints should be from a neighbour’s home, a local succeed, mediation may assist or fails, formal action can be taken to made to the district council. The business, a manufacturer or in resolving the problem. An resolve the issue. The most common environmental health department is equipment in the street, the best independent third party listens route is to complain to the district usually the appropriate department. way to deal with the problem may to the views of both parties council. Telephone numbers for all councils can be to approach those responsible and possibly brings the parties Article 38 of the Pollution Control and be found at the back of this leaflet. for the noise. Talk to the person or together with a view to reaching Local Government (Northern Ireland) company responsible and point an agreement if possible. You can Order 1978 gives district councils power out the problem. They may have find out about the availability of to deal with noise from premises, been unaware that they were mediation by contacting Mediation including land, which they consider causing disturbance. Remember Northern Ireland at 83 University amounts to a statutory nuisance. These that everyone can be guilty of Street, , BT7 1HP, tel: 028 90 powers apply not only for the control of making noise at some point 438614. existing noise, but also where a noise is without knowing it. The problem It is important to try and resolve expected to occur or reoccur. For legal is not always one of inconsiderate the issue by informal means in purposes “noise” includes vibration. behaviour, as even properties with the first instance, so that you Where the council is satisfied that a reasonably good sound insulation can demonstrate to a court at a noise nuisance exists it must serve may not cope with noise generated later stage that you tried to be a legal notice requiring abatement by powerful modern equipment. reasonable and avoid resorting to of the noise. The notice must specify the courts. the time limit for compliance with its requirements and can be served on the person responsible for the nuisance, or if that person cannot be found, the owner or occupier of the premises from which the noise emanates.

6 7 Section 1 – Informal and Formal Action

What Constitutes a Noise Serving an Abatement Failure to Comply with an Nuisance Notice Abatement Notice When a district council environmental In the case of domestic noise the A district council may initially try If a person on whom an abatement health officer investigates a noise environmental health officer may to solve this problem informally. If notice has been served, fails complaint, the crucial point on have to make several visits to the this fails and it is satisfied the noise without reasonable cause, to which a judgement must be made is property to establish a case as there is amounts to a statutory nuisance comply, he will have committed whether or not the noise amounts to a no guarantee that noise will occur on they must serve an abatement an offence. For offences relating to statutory nuisance. The environmental any of the occasions when the officer notice pursuant to the Pollution domestic premises the magistrates health officer cannot simply take the is present. In addition to this, many Control and Local Government court may impose a fine not word of the complaint. complaints about domestic noise (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. This exceeding the statutory maximum relate to noise occurring late at night may require the noise to be stopped (currently £5000). Noise is a subjective thing and or at weekends and although district altogether or limited to certain times different people react to it in different councils will normally try to assist, staff of the day. A notice must be served ways. What can cause extreme Defence of Best Practicable limitations often make monitoring at on the on the person responsible annoyance to one person may hardly these times difficult. However, some for the noise or, if this person cannot Means be noticed by another. A noise may district councils, may be able to install be located, the owner or occupier of be irritating but may not necessarily It is a defence in court proceedings noise monitoring equipment in one’s the premises. A person on whom an constitute a “nuisance” in the legal relating to noise arising in the home or arrange visits outside normal abatement notice is served has the sense. course of a trade or business to office hours to assist in investigating right to appeal it within 21 days of it prove that the best practicable There is no fixed level of noise which the complaint. being served. means have been used to try and constitutes a statutory nuisance. prevent or counteract the effect of Individual circumstances differ and the noise. This defence recognises each case is judged on its merits. In that there can be technical and deciding whether or not a noise is other limitations as far as industry is sufficient to amount to a statutory concerned. nuisance, the environmental health officer has to consider the reaction of the average, reasonable person to the noise, taking account not only of its volume, but also factors such as when and how often the noise occurs and 8 the duration of the noise occurrence. 9 Section 1 – Informal and Formal Action

Seeking an Injunction Codes of Practice

If, after investigating a complaint, Codes of practice give advice about the district council considers the minimisation of problems that summary proceedings in caused by potentially noisy the magistrate’s court would not activities. Article 51 of the Pollution provide an adequate remedy and Control and Local Government the noise amounts to a statutory Order 1978 gives the Department nuisance, it may seek an injunction of the Environment the power in the high court for the purpose of to issue and approve codes of securing abatement, prohibition or practice for the minimisation of restriction of the nuisance. noise. There are codes dealing with noise from audible intruder alarms, ice-cream van chimes and model aircraft. There are also a number of independent codes on noise offering advice on how to reduce the effects of noisy activities including the use of audible bird scarers, noise from pop concerts and off-road motorcycling. Courts must have regard to relevant codes approved by the Department of the Environment when considering the defence of best practicable means.

10 Section 1 – Informal and Formal Action

Complaing to a Magistrates Court How do I Proceed?

If for whatever reason, the district It is important that you keep a written Local Government (NI) Order 1978. (NI) Order 1978 and can be fined. council does not take action record of the dates, times and duration A summons will then be issued and Therefore, you should continue to or you do not wish to involve of the offending noise, as well as served on the person responsible for keep your record of noise occurrences them, you can complain about a description of its nature and the the noise, stating the date and time up to date in case the court order is the noise problem directly to the distress it causes you in reasonable of the court hearing. The respondent ignored and it is necessary to return to magistrates court under article occupation of your home. to the notice is likely to attend court court. 39 of the Pollution Control and to defend himself and may make Try to resolve the problem informally Local Government (Northern counter-accusations. before contacting the court by writing Getting help with the costs Ireland) Order 1978. You will need to the person responsible for the It is not necessary to have a solicitor to persuade the magistrate that noise. If you know where the noise is present to represent you at the Legal representation is not available the noise problem amounts to a coming from but do not know who hearing, although you may have one in for this type of case through the nuisance or if the nuisance has or what is causing it, then making attendance if you wish. If you present legal aid scheme. However, you abated, that it is likely to reoccur. contact with the owner or occupier of your own case, the Clerk of the court may be financially eligible under the premises may resolve the problem. will give you advice and guidance, or the “Green Form Scheme” which Make sure that the letter is dated and you can contact your local Citizens provides free legal advice and keep a copy. Although the law does Advice Bureau which may be able to assistance in the preparation of not require you to do this, it is likely offer assistance. your case. For further advice contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or the to strengthen your case if you show If the magistrate decides in your favour Northern Ireland Legal Services that you have acted in a reasonable the court will make an order requiring Commission. manner and have given the person the defendant to abate the nuisance responsible for the noise the chance to and specify the measures necessary rectify the situation before resorting to to achieve this. The order may also legal measures. prohibit or restrict a recurrence of the If there is still no improvement, the nuisance and again specify how this next step is to contact your local is to be done. A person who without Petty Sessions Office (Magistrate’s reasonable, excuse contravenes any court). Inform them that you wish requirements of such an order is guilty to make a complaint under Article of an offence under the Pollution 12 39 of the Pollution Control and Control and Local Government 13 Section 1 – Informal and Formal Action

Counting the Cost

You can take civil action for a Instigating a civil action can be noise nuisance at common law by expensive, so it is advisable to seeking an injunction to restrain seek the advice of a solicitor or the the defendant from continuing the Citizens Advice Bureau before going nuisance and/or by issuing a claim ahead. Advice from a solicitor may for damages or loss. To succeed in be free to those who are financially such an action, you must show that eligible under the “Green Form the noise causes inconvenience Scheme”. A solicitor will also be able beyond what other occupiers in the to advise on whether you will be neighbourhood can be expected to likely to meet the means and merits bear. tests which apply to applications for full civil legal aid. In civil actions for damages or an injunction for the abatement, prohibition or restriction of a nuisance, the defence of “best practicable means” is not available. In these actions the criterion upon which the court bases its judgment is how the nuisance affects others.

14 15 Section 2 – Additional Noise Controls

Loudspeakers in the Street Noise from Construction Noise Abatement Zones Sites There are additional controls which Your district council has powers Article 40 of the Pollution Control Article 43 of the Pollution Control can help to stop or reduce noise under Article 42 of the Pollution and Local Government (NI) Order and Local Government (NI) Order from particular sources. Control and Local Government 1978 gives district councils the 1978 provides for a district council (NI) Order 1978 to deal with power to specify the way in which to make an order designating Byelaws loudspeakers in the street. Their construction, demolition and similar parts of its area a “noise abatement use in the street for advertising, works must be carried out so as zone” and specifying the classes Some district councils have made entertainment, trades or businesses to minimise noise. Requirements of premises to which the order byelaws to control noise from is banned and their use for other may be specified before work applies. Noise abatement zones certain sources. For example, purposes is restricted to the hours commences or after work has begun. are designated to cater for areas byelaws have been approved for between 8am and 9pm. There is Control will be exercised by the where noise from premises, noise in parks or recreation grounds. an exemption for vehicles from issue of a notice which may specify especially industrial premises, is The type of noise covered by these which perishable foodstuffs (for the plant or machinery which is, such that without preventative byelaws may include singing, the example, ice cream) are sold, but or is not to be used or the hours of measures, the background noise playing of musical instruments, loudspeakers on these vehicles operation or permitted noise levels levels would gradually increase to radios or stereos. Check with the may only be used between the from particular types of machinery. an unacceptable level. The situation relevant district council for details. hours of 12 noon and 7pm and Article 41 of the Order allows the is not common in Northern Ireland must not give reasonable cause for contractor, or the other person and consequently this article has annoyance to those nearby. arranging for works to be carried out, not yet been brought into force. The to ask the district council to make its position will be reviewed from time A number of organisations requirements known in advance. The to time in light of experience both in including the police, ambulance district council has a duty to reply to Northern Ireland and in Great Britain and fire brigades, are exempt from an application within 28 days. where a number of noise abatement the general rules governing the use zones have been declared. of loudspeakers in the street. A code of practice (BS 5228, 2009) has been issued by the British Standards Institution and approved by the Department of the Environment. This suggests ways of carrying out construction and similar 16 works so as to ensure that noise on the site is kept to a minimum. 17 Section 2 – Additional Noise Controls

The Noise Act 1996

In addition to noise nuisance powers, district councils have discretion to adopt the Noise Act 1996. The Act contains provision for a night-time noise offence and introduces an objective standard against which noise at night from domestic premises, may be assessed. It offers a choice of penalties, including service of a £100 fixed penalty notice on offenders. In certain circumstances councils implementing The Noise Act 1996 may seize noise making equipment and apply for forfeiture. An order for forfeiture operates to deprive the offender of any rights over the equipment to which the order relates. If your district council decides to adopt these powers they are required to advertise their intention to do so at least two months in advance.

18 19 Section 3 – Planning to Stop the Noise

Development Plans Applications for Planning Roads Proposals Permission Preventing or reducing noise at Noise may be a factor in evaluating The Planning Service also takes The Department for Regional source is preferable to having to the alternative uses of land and the account of the potential impact Development’s Roads Service deal with noise once it becomes a Department of the Environment’s of noise when considering is required to publish details of problem. The planning system plays Planning Service is aware of the applications for planning permission. proposed new trunk and special an important role in reducing noise need to take noise into account Authorisation for any form of roads. The public has a right to at source and there is scope for when preparing development development can be subject to object to these proposals on any you to participate in the planning plans. The Planning (NI) Order 1991 conditions to prevent or minimise grounds, including noise. If you are process. Further information is provides scope for members of the noise disturbance. For example, concerned about such a proposal, contained in Planning Policy public to make representations work on the development can be send your objection to the Roads Statement 1 General Principles, to the Planning Service on noise restricted to particular times, the Service during the objection which is available from the problems or any other matter use of power tools regulated or period, setting out very clearly your divisional planning offices or during the formation of plans. requirements about the provision of grounds for complaint. In some the Planning Service’s website noise barriers imposed. cases a public inquiry may be called (http://www.planningni.gov.uk/ All applications for planning and you will be notified of this in index/policy/policy_publications/ permission, except for minor advance if you have objected to planning_statements.htm). developments affecting dwelling- the scheme. Planning Policy Statement 8 relating houses, such as extensions or to Open Spaces, Sport and Outdoor domestic garages, are published Recreation also makes reference to in the local press. In addition, noise issues. This is also available on Planning Service will normally the Planning Service website. notify neighbours individually where a development proposal will substantially affect them. If you wish to make representations on a proposed development you should notify your local Divisional Planning Office.

20 21 Section 3 – Planning to Stop the Noise

Further Information and Advice on Noise

Here are some useful contact points exposure level of 80dB (A weighted) required as far as is practicable, to be affected by work activities. The for further advice on noise from and a peak sound pressure of 135 ensure that the hearing protectors provisions of the Order and the other sources. dB(C weighted) (“the lower exposure are used and that anything provided Regulations are enforced by health action value”) must assess the risks to employees are in efficient and safety inspectors from the Noise at Work of such noise to the employee’s working order and in good repair. Health and Safety Executive of the Excessive exposure to loud noise health and eliminate the risk from The employer should also place Department of Enterprise, Trade and can cause permanent hearing exposure at source by reducing it employees under health surveillance Investment or Environmental Health damage. The risk of hearing damage to as low a level as is reasonably in certain circumstances, ensure officers of district councils. practicable. Where an employee that appropriate health records are depends on the amount of exposure People who suffer substantial is exposed to noise exceeding a maintained and ensure employees but generally one is at risk of some hearing loss from working in daily or weekly personal noise are examined by a doctor where degree of hearing impairment if one certain occupations where noise exposure of 85 dB (A weighted) and necessary. works in a place where it is necessary levels are very high may qualify for a peak sound pressure of 137 dB to shout to make oneself heard by These Regulations also place an industrial injuries disablement (C weighted) (“the upper exposure anyone one metre away. The risk obligations on employees. benefit which is paid by the Social action value”) the employer must is greater if you are also exposed Employees must make full and Security Agency. A document reduce the noise as much as is to high noise levels in your leisure proper use of personal hearing DB1, A Guide to Industrial Injuries reasonably practicable by adopting, time, for example from nightclubs, protectors and report any defect in Disablement Benefits sets out the amongst other things, organisational shooting or DIY. the noise control measures to occupations covered, information on and technical measures. Other The Control of Noise at Work his employer. the benefit and information on how requirements of these regulations Regulations (Northern Ireland) to claim. include the provision of personal Noise levels which are not as high 2006 impose duties on employers hearing protectors for employees as those referred to above but still The leaflet is available at http:// and on self-employed persons to experiencing the lower exposure cause difficulties may be regulated www.dsdni.gov.uk/print/db1.pdf. protect both employees who may be under the general provisions of the action value. A summary leaflet on Industrial exposed to noise at work and other Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order In addition, where the upper Injuries Disablement Benefits persons who might be affected by 1978. Under this Order employers exposure action value is experienced (leaflet IIDBAA5) is available at the noise. have a general duty to take all employers must mark “Hearing http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/print/ Any employer who carries out work reasonably practicable steps to Protection Zones” and erect signage sd_7.pdf. which is liable to expose employees ensure the health, safety and welfare indicating that ear protection should 22 to a daily or weekly personal noise of employees and others who may be worn. The employer is also 23 Further Information and Advice on Noise

Noise from Road Traffic Motor Horns

For further information contact the Noise from traffic is probably the The Motor Vehicles (Construction Industrial Injuries Branch at Castle most widespread source of noise and Use) Regulations (Northern Court, Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 nuisance. There are a number of Ireland) 1999 prohibit the sounding 1SD (telephone 028 9033 6000). ways in which the problem can be of a horn when a vehicle is tackled. For example, the noise can The Health and Safety Executive stationary, unless there is danger be reduced at source by making for Northern Ireland can also direct from a moving vehicle. It also vehicles quieter; traffic can be you towards appropriate sources of disallows the sounding of horns routed by traffic management information (The Health and Safety from moving vehicles on restricted schemes away from sensitive areas; Executive for Northern Ireland, roads between 11.30pm and 7am, new roads can be built to take 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast, BT6 9FJ. except when another road user traffic away from built up areas; and Telephone: 028 90 243249, Fax No: poses a danger. The Highway Code people can be protected in their 028 90 235353). for Northern Ireland also states homes by sound insulation and that horns should not be used noise barriers. aggressively and should only be used to warn other road users of Reduction of Vehicle Noise your presence. Any issues regarding the illegal use of motor horns The Motor Vehicles (Construction should be reported to the PSNI. and Use) Regulations (Northern Only ambulances, police, the fire Ireland) 1999 requires the fitting of brigade and certain other specified a silencer to an internal combustion emergency vehicles may be fitted engine and places noise limits with a gong, bell, siren or two-tone on vehicles with at least three horn. wheels. Different noise limits apply to agricultural motor vehicles, industrial tractors and motorcycles.

24 25 Section 3 – Planning to Stop the Noise

Procedures for Complaining

Excessive Vehicle Noise Noise from Air Traffic Civil Aircraft

Complaints about noisy vehicles The Department for Transport is Best Belfast City Airport, but does Noise control is primarily a matter should be addressed to the Police responsible for general policy on not require action to counter noise for the airport management and Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). the control of civil aircraft noise in to be taken. Instead, the Regulations complaints about airport noise However, the measurement of the the . It introduces, set out a process that must be should be directed to the airport noise emissions from individual for example, the Air Navigation followed where such action is being operator. Where a consultative vehicles on busy public roads (Noise Certification) Orders contemplated. Where a prescribed committee exists, complaints may presents many technical problems which implement international airport chooses to develop a plan be channelled through that body. for the PSNI and they may often recommendations in respect of the to control noise it must take the Contact details are: find it difficult to help, unless the control of aircraft noise at source. following into account: George Best Belfast City Airport excessive noise is due to an obvious Under The Airports (NI) Order Forum fault, such as a defective silencer. 1994 the Department for Regional Using modern, quieter planes; • C/O George Best Belfast City Airport Development also has a role to Sydenham Traffic Noise play in relation to civil aircraft noise • Using procedures to reduce Belfast at airports in Northern Ireland. It operational noise (optimising BT3 9JH Any complaints or suggestions can require airports to take such the use of air traffic management Telephone: 208 90 939093 about the routing or regulation measures as it considers necessary procedures so that aircraft are Fax No: 028 90 939094 of road traffic should be for limiting noise and vibration flown as quietly as possible, addressed to the Local Division and may make a scheme requiring consistent with safe operation); Belfast International Airport of the Department for Regional airport operators to pay grants Consultative Committee Development’s Road Service. toward noise insulation for affected The effect of land use planning Crumlin Changes in traffic patterns can • buildings. and management policies in BT29 4AB have repercussions over a wide preventing or limiting noise area and it is not always possible to The Aerodromes (Noise Restrictions) Telephone No: 208 90 484848 sensitive development around resolve complaints or to implement (Rules and Procedures) Regulations 2003 implement into UK law the airports; and Where there is a serious noise problem suggestions, but constructive ideas and the Department for Regional are welcomed. provisions of a European Directive on noise related operating • Restricting or banning certain Development considers that the restrictions at UK airports. This aircraft from operating. airport management is failing to deal law applies to some of the busiest with it, the Department may invoke its airports in the UK, including George power under the Airports (NI) 26 Order 1994. 27 Section 3 – Planning to Stop the Noise

Noise from Military Aircraft Noise from Industrial Premises Complaints about military aircraft Part A and B Processes Part C Processes should be addressed to G9 (Pol), HQ 38(Irish) Bde & NI Garrison, BFPO The Pollution Prevention and District Councils regulate Part 825 (Telephone: 02892 263498). Control (Northern Ireland) C processes and in the event of Regulations 2003 require certain a noise complaint you should Where loss, injury or damage has prescribed industrial installations contact your local District Council resulted from military aircraft (Part A and B installations) to be Environmental Health Department. flying in Northern Ireland, G9 (Pol) authorised by the Chief Inspector should be contacted in the first Where an industrial installation is from the Northern Ireland instance. It would assist to have not prescribed under the above Environment Agency (NIEA). These details of the incident to hand to Regulations, a district council may regulations require operators aid identification of the aircraft be able to deal with noise emissions to prevent or at least minimise concerned. If compensation is also that it considers amounts to a emissions from such installations. As being claimed, details of the alleged statutory nuisance (see earlier in noise is considered as an emission loss, injuries or damage and the this leaflet for further information under these regulations, conditions names of any witnesses should also on statutory nuisance). in the permits require the operators be provided. If livestock is involved, of the installations to minimise the Noise from Waste Facilities veterinary evidence and laboratory noise impact on the environment. reports from the Department of The Northern Ireland Environment NIEA also maintains a public register Agriculture and Rural Development Agency is responsible for the regulation for PPC installations. For more will also be required. of waste facilities in Northern Ireland. details contact: These typically include landfill sites, The Northern Ireland Environment waste transfer stations, recycling centres Agency and civic amenity sites. Klondyke Building The licence or permit for such Cromac Avenue operations may include conditions for Gasworks Building Park the control of noise emissions from Lower Ormeau Road activities on the site. For more detail Belfast on control of noise from waste facilities 28 BT7 2JA contact the NIEA at the address above. 29 Tel: 028 90 569296 Section 3 – Planning Further Reading to Stop the Noise

Compensation for The Statutory Publications Depreciation of Property Value Offices One may be entitled to claim Development (Clarence Court, Available from the Statutory compensation if the value of your 10 – 18 Adelaide Street, Belfast, Publications Office, OFMDFM, property depreciates as a result of BT2 8GB, Tel: 028 90 540540 or A5.03, Castle Buildings, Stormont, noise (and other physical factors) http://applications.drdni.gov. Belfast, BT4 3SR arising from certain public works, uk/publications/document. The Pollution Control and Local including new or substantially asp?docid=7178). Government (NI) Order 1978 altered roads, airports and railways. Claims should be made after the Code of Practice on Noise from House Purchase Audible Intruder Alarms, DOE 1982 end of the end of the first year and before the end of the third year When viewing a property you are Code of Practice on Noise from from the date of the opening of thinking of purchasing, remember Model Aircraft, DOE 1982 the works. You should contact the that the noise you can expect to Code of Practice on Noise from Ice- authority responsible for the works experience can vary dramatically cream Van Chimes, DOE 1982 for further details. Even if you do according to traffic pattern and not qualify for compensation, it may industrial and other activities in The Noise Act 1996 be worth asking Land and Property the locality. A further visit during Services to check with the district the working day, when traffic is at Free Publications valuation officer to see whether you its worst or in the evening could can obtain a rates reduction. prove worthwhile. The impact Further information on noise matters of noise from airports or other The Noise Insulation Regulations in general can be obtained from your large installations depend on District Council or the Department of (Northern Ireland) 1995 provide wind direction and therefore vary the Environment: for the insulation of buildings considerably over a wide area against noise caused by or expected according to the weather. Air and Environmental Quality Unit to be caused by traffic using Climate and Waste Division new roads and certain altered Department of the Environment roads. An explanatory booklet, Calvert House Land Compensation Your Rights 23 Castle Place Belfast Explained - Insulation Against BT1 1FY 30 Traffic Noise is available from Tel: 028 90 254834 the Department for Regional Fax: 028 90 254732 31 Further Reading

Alternatively contact the relevant district council. The relevant numbers are:

Department of the Environment www.doeni.gov.uk Council Telephone Number Borough Council 028 94 463113 “The Department’s aim is to secure Borough Council 028 91 824000 a better and safer environment and Armagh City and District Council 028 37 529600 support effective local government”. Borough Council 028 25 660300 Further information on noise matters Borough Council 028 27 660200 in general, or the content of this District Council 028 40 660600 leaflet may be obtained for the 028 90 270428 Department of the Environment, Borough Council 028 93 351192 Climate and Waste Division, Air and Borough Council 028 90 494640 Environmental Quality Unit at the Coleraine Borough Council 028 70 347034 following address: Cookstown District Council 028 86 762205 Craigavon Borough Council 028 38 312400 Air and Environmental Quality Unit 028 71 365151 Climate and Waste Division Department of the Environment 028 44 610800 Calvert House Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council 028 87 720300 23 Castle Place Belfast Fermanagh District Council 028 66 325050 BT1 1FY Borough Council 028 28 272313 Borough Council 028 77 722226 Tel: 028 90 254834 028 92 509250 Fax: 028 90 254732 Magherafelt District Council 028 79 397979 028 20 762225 Email: [email protected] Newry and Mourne District Council 028 30 313031 Borough Council 028 90 340000 www.doeni.gov.uk North Down Borough Council 028 91 270371 www.noiseni.co.uk 028 82 245321 Strabane District Council 028 71 382204 May 2010 32 33 NOISE