Noise Complaints to Local Authorities Quadruple in Scotland: Euronoise
Noise complaints have quadrupled in Scotland following the beefing up of noise legislation.
Amplified music, shouting children and adults, loud television, barking dogs, rowdy parties and DIY were the main sources of complaints said Duncan McNab, senior policy officer at the Scottish Government’s Air, Noise and Nuisance Team.
Mr McNab presented an overview of the effect of noise and nuisance legislative changes over the past five years at Euronoise 2009, which was held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in October.
Local authorities throughout Scotland received more than 40,000 domestic noise complaints in 2008, compared to about 10,000 prior to 2004, he said.
Mr McNab’s research found that:
• Twenty-two local authorities received a total 18,900 domestic noise complaints in 2006, resulting in 7920 visits from noise investigation officers;
• There were more than 38,000 noise complaints to 25 local authorities in 2007, resulting in nearly 20,000 visits from officers;
• In 2008, complaints to 25 local authorities jumped to 42,665, resulting in officers logging more than 24,000 visits;
• The requirement for local authorities to publicise their new antisocial behaviour noise service, if they chose to adopt the provisions, has led to the increase in complaints;
• Local Authority Noise Investigation Officers said that the benefits of the Antisocial Behaviour Noise service was its responsiveness to the public; its enforcement powers, and the strong technical basis of the service;
• The requirement to have dedicated call centres with the police to receive, log and allocate complaints quickly has proved very effective.
This increasing problem highlights the importance of installing appropriate acoustic insulation in properties as they are built, as well as the need to ensure acoustic insulation is considered during refurbishments.
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