Controlling noise from private and street parties

Everyone enjoys having a party or two during the summer months, however not many people enjoying hearing them late into the evening.

If you are planning a party or a neighbourhood event such as a street party, please follow this advice to minimise the disturbance to the neighbours who are not directly involved:

• Inform neighbours well in advance of your intention to hold an event and let them know what time it will finish. This is best done in a friendly note so they remember the date and times.
• Give your neighbours your telephone number, so that they can contact you should the event be causing a noise problem.  They can then ask you to turn it down.
• Even though you have informed your neighbours that a party is taking place, you may still cause a noise nuisance, so be careful with the music volume and how long you spend outdoors.
• Ensure that the level of any music being played is not excessive throughout the event and reduce the volume towards the end of the night.  You need to consider the effects of this music on neighbours and people not attending the event living in the immediate area. Remember that whilst listening to loud music, your hearing will be affected and the noise will not appear to be as loud to you as it is to others.
• Ensure that the music is turned down so that it cannot be heard outside your property after 23:00. The best way to do this is to go outside and check if you can still hear it.
• For outdoor parties we recommend that you move inside after 23:00, to minimise noise disturbance to your neighbours. Close any windows where noise may escape and affect neighbours.
• When the event finishes, make sure that guests are considerate and leave in a quiet manner.

Legal note:

If a noise complaint is received by the council, an officer may visit the neighbouring property to assess whether or not the level is causing a statutory nuisance. If this is witnessed and confirmed by the officer, the council must, by law, serve a formal notice which requires the nuisance to be abated.  If you continue to make further noise in breach of the notice this is an offence, with a maximum penalty on summary conviction of £5,000.