Environmental Health investigates complaints about noise that may constitute a statutory nuisance under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
How Do I Report a Noise Complaint?
If you are experiencing noise disturbance within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, you can contact Environmental Health by telephone or email.
Anonymous complaints may not be formally investigated.
What happens after I make a complaint?
Following receipt of your complaint, an Environmental Health Officer will assess the information provided.
Where appropriate, we may initially seek to resolve the matter informally by contacting the person responsible and advising them of the complaint. If the issue persists or informal action is not appropriate, a formal investigation may be commenced.
As part of the investigation, you may be asked to complete record forms detailing the dates, times, duration and nature of the disturbance. Environmental Health Officers may also carry out site visits or deploy noise monitoring equipment where appropriate to determine whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance.
Where a statutory nuisance is found to exist, or is likely to occur or recur, the Council may serve an Abatement Notice requiring the nuisance to cease or be restricted.
What types of noise does the Council investigate?
Environmental Health may investigate complaints relating to:
• Domestic noise (including loud music, televisions, parties, shouting and DIY activities)
• Barking dogs and other animals
• Commercial and industrial premises
• Construction and demolition work
• Entertainment premises
• Mechanical plant and equipment (including air conditioning units, generators and extraction systems)
• Vehicle repair businesses and commercial vehicle activities
• Agricultural activities, where appropriate
• Bird scarers
• Vehicles, machinery or equipment operating from premises
Each complaint is assessed on its individual circumstances, having regard to factors such as the duration, frequency, time of day, volume and impact of the noise.
What noise does the Council not normally investigate?
Environmental Health does not normally investigate:
• General road traffic noise
• Aircraft or railway noise
• Everyday household living noise, such as footsteps, doors closing, appliances, children playing or babies crying
• Noise arising from people in streets or other public places (which may fall within the remit of the Police Service of Northern Ireland)
• Matters where the source of the noise cannot be identified
If your complaint falls outside the Council's powers, we will endeavour to direct you to the appropriate organisation where possible.
Contact Details
Telephone: 0330 137 4024
Email: ehealth@nmandd.org