Industrial and commercial noise problems |
| Noise from industrial and commercial premises can disturb
people living nearby, particularly at
night. | |
Examples include:
- machinery noise
- external dust arrestment equipment
- construction and demolition noise
- entertainment noise
- ventilation systems
- public address systems
- intruder alarms.
What can the Council do to help?
The Council
can only take action if the noise can be defined as a statutory
nuisance. There is a lot of case law defining statutory nuisance
but in simple terms a noise nuisance is any regular noise which
prevents somebody from enjoying their home. Although it is
unreasonable to expect total quiet at all times in your home,
neither are you expected to put up with frequent noise intrusions.
The Council will assess the noise and decide if a statutory
nuisance exists. This assessment can utilise one or more of the
following methodologies:
- Rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and
industrial areas using BS 4142:1997.
This standard describes a method for assessing whether noise from
the industrial source is likely to give rise to complaints from
people living in the neighbourhood. It compares noise from the
source with the background noise level. As the margin between the
measured noise and background noise increases, so does the
likelihood of complaint.
- Some industrial noise is controlled by permits issued under the
Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations. These permits relate
to the more polluting industries and are regulated either by the
Environment Agency (Part A1 processes) or by Borough of Telford
& Wrekin (Part A2 processes). The Environmental Health
section is asked to comment on planning applications for new
commercial and industrial premises near to housing and vice versa
by the Planning Department. The section makes recommendations on
appropriate planning conditions to ensure that noise problems will
be minimised.
- Places selling alcohol became subject to the new licensing
legislation, which came into force on 24 November 2005. The new Act
not only allows for controls over opening hours, (including people
leaving the premises), but also provides measures to control
entertainment noise from the premises. During the conversion period
Environmental Health commented on all applications for extended
hours and recommended conditions to ensure that the premises do not
cause public nuisance. If there is a noise problem from licensed
premises in the future, Environmental Health can request a review
of the licensing conditions as well as dealing with it under
statutory nuisance provisions.
Further advice is available on:
Detailed advice can be obtained by
contacting Environmental
Health | |
 |
| Please note - Some documents published before
1st December 2006 may contain incorrect contact
numbers. |
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