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Pollution & Noise

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Please follow this link to make an online enquiry, complaint or report, relating to this service - Pollution & Noise

The Council's Statutory Role

The Environmental Health department has a variety of statutory duties relating to noise and environmental pollution. These responsibilities are shared with a number of other organisations including the Environment Agency, the Police, and the Water Companies.


The most important legislation enforced by the department is the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This defines the concept of ‘statutory nuisance’ for a wide range of potential nuisances including noise, odour, smoke and accumulations.


For any nuisance to be classed as a statutory nuisance it must be ‘regular and frequent’. This means that one off noisy parties, occasional bonfires and seasonal manure spreading are NOT statutory nuisances and are not routinely investigated by the department.


A very general guide is a noise that is happening at least once a week and is twice as loud as the usual background noise could be classed as nuisance.
Kennet District Council can be contacted on the Council’s office number of 01380 724911

Out of office hours, the Council offers a call out service for emergencies only - please telephone the normal number and your call will be dealt with by our out-of-hours Contact Centre

If you are planning a party or carrying out any DIY or anything else that may disrupt your neighbours then it is strongly recommended that you let them know well in advance of your intentions. Take all reasonable steps to minimise any potential disruption for example:

  • Keep music levels lower after 11pm

  • Do not play loud music outside

  • Avoid noisy DIY activities in the evenings and on Sundays

  • Avoid bonfires. Compost garden waste or take it to your local Household Recycling Centre

Contact us

If you wish to speak to an Environmental Health Officer about a noise complaint, please contact us by emailing kennet@kennet.gov.uk
or telephone us on 01380 724911

For complaints about barking dogs, please contact our Animal Welfare Officer also on 01380 724911
Pollution Control Customer Charter  PDF format

Leaflets

For a copy of our FREE leaflet, 'Bothered by Noise',

bothered by noise leaflet
please contact us on the number or email address above.