Building sites and business

Industrial and commercial premises can cause noise problems, particularly when located close to residential properties. Noise from construction activities can be loud and often disturbing. It is, however, recognised that certain activities will generate noise and that there are often no other reasonable alternatives.

Construction workers should follow a code of practice that details measures to help keep noise to a minimum. In South Oxfordshire, noisy construction activities should also be carried out during sociable hours (i.e. 07:30-18:00 Monday-Friday and 08:00-13:00 Saturdays with no noisy works on Sundays and Bank Holidays). 

It is important to note that construction work is usually only temporary, and it will eventually stop. However, in some cases the council can impose restrictions on the way which work is carried out, including controlling hours on site and setting noise limits.

Examples of industrial premises:

• heavy industrial and manufacturing premises
• light industrial premises
• agricultural activities.

Examples of industrial noise nuisance:

• constant intrusive droning of exhaust equipment, often at unsociable hours
• excessively loud machinery
• working outside of allowed operating hours.

Examples of commercial premises:

• factories 
• service stations
• food premises
• other shops and retail premises
• sports and leisure activities.

Examples of commercial noise nuisance:

• excessively loud music from pubs/clubs
• loud outdoor advertising speakers
• loading/unloading of stores at unsociable hours creating unnecessary noise
• construction site noise.

How do I report an industrial noise nuisance to the council?

Details about how to make a complaint and how the council will deal with it can be found in the report a problem section.