Noise

Permitted Noise Levels

There are three new permitted noise levels:

A new noise offence is based on exceeding the permitted level as measured by a suitably trained and qualified officer.  If an officer of the Council considers that noise being emitted from a dwelling exceeds or may exceed a permitted level the officer may issue a Warning Notice.

Where the notice is not complied with within the specified time period, the officer will measure the noise level from a relevant place and if it exceeds the permitted level, the person responsible for the noise will have committed an offence.  The officer may then issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (currently £100) offering the person the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for that offence by payment of a fixed penalty.  Failure to pay the fee within 28 days results in a report being sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Seizure of Equipment

Where someone fails to respond to a Fixed Penalty Notice or is a persistent offender, officers are permitted to enter property and seize and remove the equipment used in the emission of the noise.  Such noise making equipment will typically comprise electronic items such as a hi-fi, mixer desk, loud speakers, TV, DIY equipment and musical instruments.  It may potentially also include a collection of CDs and DVDs.

What Can I Do?

If you are unfortunate enough to have a noisy neighbour, we would advise that you speak to them in a reasonable way to let them know how their behaviour is affecting you.  Many people are unaware of their noise intruding into other people's homes and will take the appropriate action to prevent it.  If they persist with their behaviour you should contact us for advice.

If the noise is occurring during office hours Monday to Friday telephone us on 01389 738627 and we will try to get officers to attend in time to witness the noise and take appropriate action.

If the noise is occurring out of office hours telephone you local Police Station.  We have a dedicated Night Noise Team who operate from Thursday to Sunday between the hours of 8pm and 3am who will attend neighbour noise complaints.  At all other times the Police will attend where workload permits.

The contact numbers for the Night Noise Team are:

Clydebank - 0141 532 3300

Dumbarton - 01389-822000

Alexandria - 01389 823000

Poor Sound Insulation

Unfortunately, although your neighbour's noise may be intruding into your home they may not be committing any offence if there is poor sound insulation between the properties.  With the increase in the use of laminated floor products, complaints of this nature are becoming more frequent.  The Building Performance Centre were asked by DEFRA to undertake a six month research programme to examine the noise implications of  either installing (laminate/wood block) or revealing (sanded floorboards) hard timber floor surfaces within flatted residential dwellings.  The report may be read by clicking the following link - DEFRA Report.

In addition, the Scottish Executive has issued the following information and advice - Scottish Executive Advice.

Mediation

In many cases where the relationship between neighbours has broken down to the extent that they cannot take matters forward, mediation can often bridge that gap successfully.  West Dunbartonshire Council provides a mediation service.  They can be contacted on 01389 772051.

You can also view Neighbour Noise Problems - A Guide to What You Can Do! (83K)

 Quarry Blasting

Advice and Guidance on Quarry Blasting.

 Aircraft Noise

Noise caused by aircraft is a local concern within the Whitecrook and Linnvale communities of West Dunbartonshire. Local authorities, however, do not have regulatory powers with respect to aircraft noise. If you do have a complaint regarding the noise level associated with aircraft flying over West Dunbartonshire you can contact the British Airports Authority (BAA) at Glasgow Airport on 0800 013 2429 or visit their website.

The Environmental Health Section of West Dunbartonshire Council has set up an Environmental Noise Monitor within the Whitecrook area and has been monitoring aircraft noise since July 2006. It is possible that we will continue to do so to establish long-term trends in aircraft noise. View the data from this monitoring exercise.

View further information regarding the various noise parameters and a summary of the UK Government's current position on aircraft noise read the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology postnote on Aircraft Noise.

The UK Government retains responsibility for developing the infrastructure, economic and regulatory framework within which the aviation industry operates. Specifically, governmental responsibility for policy on aviation environmental matters, including noise and emissions, rests with the Department for Transport (DfT).