Figures to shout about (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Figures to shout about

3:48pm Monday 6th July 2009

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FIGURES released this week show over 97% of noise complaints brought before Bromsgrove District Council last year were successfully resolved without legal action.

The authority's Environmental Health Officer Nathan Poole said: “The low number of notices served may be due to the high success rate of our initial process of firm warnings followed up with appropriate advice, and entering into dialogue to assist with resolving the problem without resorting to legal action.

“Generally we find the majority of Bromsgrove residents are cooperative and will comply when they understand they are causing a genuine problem.

“Nuisance action cannot be taken where the noise itself is not unreasonable, and the problem is purely attributable to poor sound insulation. In such cases we are happy to offer advice, and independent guidance on improving sound insulation in dwellings is available from the Building Research Establishment.

“We do however use legal powers where necessary, including seizure and confiscation of equipment.”

264 out of 272 noise complaints made in the Bromsgrove district in 2007-08 were found to be acceptable within the law or resolved without legal action, with no complaints regarding the outcomes received into the Council’s customer feedback system.

The council's portfolio holder for Housing and Environment Cllr Peter Whittaker (Con, Tardebigge) said: “Noise nuisance can be a real problem for people, and is often a sensitive issue.

“Enforcement should be seen as a last resort for noise complaints, for when those involved refuse to respond to our approach, or demonstrate no sympathy or understanding for the problem they are causing for other people.

“In these cases the law requires that appropriate action must be taken, so it is a good measure of the attitude of people across the Bromsgrove District that out of 272 complaints, just eight ended with notice being served.”

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