A study of complaints about noise from domestic premises

Abstract

Neighbourhood noise has been found to be the most widespread source of noise disturbance after road traffic. Complaints to Environmental Health Officers about noise from domestic premises have increased by 791% over the 10 years to 1985. Data about these complaints have been used to investigate neighbour noise disturbance. Environmental Health Officers have returned 2128 data sheets dealing with complaints about 2624 noise sources. Two thirds of these sources were either amplified music or barking dogs. The data have been analyzed to determine where the noise sources are situated and the time of day when disturbance occurs. Regional differences as well as type of dwelling and occupancy have also been investigated. The large increase in complaints about domestic noise has been considered in the light of this investigation; this suggests that while the increase may have arisen in part from changing attitudes to noise and an increased awareness of action available to abate nuisance, the major reason for the increase is a growth in the incidence and/or level of noise. Proposals are made for further work aimed at developing methods for reducing disturbance.