Top tips for being a good neighbour this summer
Every weekend throughout July and August, Noise officers from the Council’s environmental protection team will once again be out and about across the County on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer months. Officers will be on duty into the early hours of the morning monitoring noise hot spots and investigating noise complaints.
Herefordshire Council receives up to 1000 noise complaints a year, with a 50% increase over the summer months. Most summer noise complaints are about loud music, parties, barking dogs and loud factory equipment, so the Council is urging residents and businesses to follow their top tips to make the summer enjoyable and prevent noise nuisance occurring in your neighbourhood.
Environmental Health Service Manager Charles Yarnold said: “Everybody has the right to enjoy themselves in the warmer months, and some noise is inevitable in work and home activities. However we are requesting politely that residents and businesses consider the noise they are generating and think about how excessive and prolonged noise could be affecting their neighbours’ quality of life.
“Whether it keeps them awake at night when they have to be up early for work, or stops them enjoying life at home during the day, noise can be a real problem. Simple steps such as informing neighbours of a planned party or leaving contact details if a barking dog is going to be unattended can prevent complaints and mean you can be contacted directly if any problems arise.
“Fortunately, most residents and businesses in Herefordshire are considerate of their neighbours, but we will take firm action against the small minority who persist in causing noise nuisance.”
To be a good neighbour this summer, read the top tips for limiting summer noise at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/summernoise
Herefordshire Council’s out of hours noise team are available from 9pm to 2am every Friday and Saturday evening until the end of August, and on August bank holiday Sunday.
They can be reached by emailing ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk or completing the online ‘Contact us’ form: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/council/contact-us. During the evening the officers will receive the notification to assess and action the service request.