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Noise, smells, smoke and light
Modern life is not great sometimes. Noisy neighbours, bad smells, bonfires and too much light don’t always help our quality of life.
We are here to help and advise. The first step as always is to let us know about your problem.
Contact our Environmental Protection experts on
Telephone: 01327 322322
Email: environmental.protection@southnorthants.gov.uk
Environmental Protection
South Northamptonshire Council
Springfields
Towcester
NN12 6AE
Or click on the links to the facts you need:
Dealing with noise
From neighbours:
If you have a problem with noise from your neighbours, try talking to them first – after all, they may not realise they are causing you stress. If that fails we can take a range of action from seeking an anti-social behaviour order through to prosecution for someone who keeps doing it and ignores our notices. There may be times we can’t get enough evidence to take action – in these cases you can take action yourself (we have a short guide to how to do this: Taking your own action).
From businesses:
We can take action as with neighbours, or through the licensing system. We do get complaints about noise from motor sport at Silverstone. The Grand Prix and the motor sport industry is important to the economy locally. We work with the circuits to deal with issues such as public address systems, and they have their own regulations to deal with engine noise. Sometimes it is just a matter of knowing when it may happen – so go to their sites Silverstone Racing Circuit and Northampton International Raceway (Brafield Stadium) to find out when events are running
From construction sites:
Construction noise is an ordinary part of any building project. Developers can be told to restrict working hours under the planning permission we give them or if we get complaints, so that noise doesn't affect people living nearby too badly.
From burglar alarms:
Many of us have these and it is your personal responsibility to make sure they don’t bother your neighbours. There are things we can do to stop burglar alarms becoming a nuisance. For more information and to register your alarm click on Audible Intruder Alarms Notification Form (pdf).
Other guidance on noise
There is also infomation we can give you on barking dogs (pdf), and the use of anti-barking collars (pdf) to train your dog to control its barking. We also have information on the use of ice-cream van chimes (pdf) and Fireworks and the Law (pdf).
Nasty smells and smoke
We can deal with:
- smoke coming from any buildings or land
- dust, steam or smells coming from commercial premises
- fumes or gases coming from private homes
We will try to solve things first by talking to the owners, but we can take legal action if that does not work out.
We also have advice for people who want to burn bonfires. Just click on Bonfires at Home (pdf).
Light pollution
We are all bothered from time to time by unwanted light from things like security lights or the permanent orange glow in our towns.
With the right evidence we can take action – failure to comply with our notices can mean a fine of up to £5,000.
But before you report it to us, can you:
- Record the problem with an accurate note of times and dates of nuisance and photographs if you can.
- Speak to the light owner and see if you can both compromise.
- If a compromise can’t be reached then contact us. For more information or to request a free leaflet (produced by the National Society for Clean Air).