Noise pollution
More than a third of requests for nuisance help that we receive
are about noise. The council can take action on excessive levels of
noise considered to be a statutory noise nuisance.
We can also carry out noise assessments and monitor construction
site development to protect the wellbeing of the borough’s
residents and businesses. Tower Hamlets council actively works with
residents, businesses, developers and regional partners to control
levels of noise.
What we do
We can help with most problems, complaints or enquiries
concerning residential and commercial noise, including the
following:
- DIY, amplified music, musical instruments, domestic appliances,
leisure activities, hobbies, parties
- car alarms (including breaking into vehicles to disarm the
alarm)
- burglar alarms (including entering buildings to switch off the
alarm)
- construction (including serving notices and taking action
through the courts)
- street noise, for example, stationary vehicles with engines
running, refrigerator units, car repairs, audio
systems in stationary vehicles.
Residential
Noise from residential premises may be:
- DIY
- amplified music (not from parties)
- musical instruments
- domestic appliances
- leisure activities / hobbies
- parties
In the case of parties, an out of hours patrol
officer will attempt, where it is safe to do so, to visit the
premises complained of and speak to the person responsible for the
party. If the party is not a nuisance they will give advice on ways
of reducing the noise e.g. shutting windows, turning down the bass
volume.
If they believe the party is a noise nuisance,
and is likely to continue being so, then they should serve an
abatement notice. If the noise nuisance does not stop within the
compliance time specified on the notice then it will be forwarded
to the legal section for prosecution. They may also consider the
option of equipment seizure where the nuisance is severe.
Car alarms
The service is empowered to break into
vehicles to disarm defective alarms and also to remove the vehicles
to a safe place where necessary. The costs involved will be
recovered from the owner of the vehicle. The owner’s details are
obtained from DVLA.
Audible intruder alarms (AIA)
The service is empowered to obtain a warrant
to enter premises and deactivate AIA's that are causing 'annoyance'
to persons living or working nearby.
The warrant may authorise entry to such other
persons and equipment as is necessary to de-activate the alarm.
Entry to premises should only take place in the company of a police
constable, and shall cause minimal damage and disturbance. If
reasonably practicable the alarm will be reset, and the premises
will also be effectively secured as is reasonably practicable.
The warrant will only be obtained when the AIA
has operated for more than one hour after it was activated; the
officer has unsuccessfully tried to contact nominated keyholders
and it is causing annoyance to persons living or working
nearby.
Construction activities
This guidance note does not cover noise from
DIY.
Noise nuisance from construction works is
controlled by Section 60 Control of Pollution Act 1974 and
Section 61 Control of Pollution Act 1974. Other nuisance is covered
by Section 80 Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Section 61 Control of Pollution Act 1974
allows a contractor or promoter to approach the local authority to
gain consent to carry out construction works. The local authority
has the power to amend or condition any consent.
Section 60 Control of Pollution Act 1974 is
essentially the same as the Section 61 except that no approach is
made by the contractor and the conditions are imposed by the local
authority.
It will be necessary before taking action
against any contractor to ensure that the contractor is not
exempted from control because of Crown Immunity or statutory
undertaking.
The local authority has an agreed
policy on construction sites. The policy precludes, except in
exceptional circumstances, works of construction being carried out
between 18.00 to 08.00 Monday to Friday, from 13.00 on Saturdays
and any works on Sundays, Bank or Public holidays.
Noise in the street
This covers noise emitted or caused by a vehicle, machinery or
equipment (VME) in the street.
It includes noise from:
- musical instruments
- car alarms (see above)
- stationary vehicles with engines idling
- refrigerator units operating
- hydraulic tail lifts
- skip loading equipment
- goods deliveries
- DIY car repairs
- professional car repairs in the street
- any industrial or work activities spilling
out into the street
- all building, engineering, and demolition
works in the streets arising from the use of compressors,
generators and pumps left unattended
- buskers and street musicians using
instruments irrespective of whether or not electrically powered,
ghetto blasters
- street parties and informal gatherings where
amplification equipment is used
- audio systems in stationary vehicles
- pickets in industrial disputes using
loudspeakers
It excludes:
- traffic noise
- noise made by military forces
- noise from campaigning demonstrations
Public entertainment licensing
Licences for the performance of music in a public place
(including an open space) within the Borough of Tower Hamlets, are
issued by:
Licensing and Trading Standards Section
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO BOX 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
How to contact us
Environmental Health
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
Show map
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6831
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am -5pm
Email: environmentalhealth@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Out of hours service
Our out of hours number is available Monday to Thursday 8pm
to 3.30am and continuous, from Friday 8pm to Monday 3:30am. This
service operates every night of the year apart from December 25 and
December 31.
Tel: 020 7364 7070
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