Neighbourhood and neighbour noise includes noise arising from within the community such as industrial and entertainment premises, trade and business premises, construction sites and noise in the street. It does not include general transport noise, which falls under the definition of environmental noise.

Sound is an inevitable consequence of a mature and vibrant society, but for some, it becomes noise which is an unwanted intrusion that has an adverse effect on their quality of life, affecting their health and well being.  Noise can also be associated with unwanted vibration in building structures which again may affect a person’s quality of life.  In recognition of this, powers have been given to local authorities to address noise.  The government is working towards securing a sustainable society and a healthy environment and recognises that the management of neighbourhood noise requires a co-ordinated and long term approach that embraces various aspects of modern society, as set out it the Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE).

Sound insulation

Good sound insulation reduces the passage of all types of noise into and within the home. It can, for example, reduce the level of music that passes through party walls or the volume of road traffic noise that comes in from outside the home.

Building Regulations set standards for design and construction which apply to all new residential buildings and many alterations to existing buildings in England and Wales. The requirements with respect to sound insulation can be found under Part E (PDF 4.5MB).

Many private sector companies can help improve sound insulation in homes.  An example of some guidance on improving sound insulation in homes (PDF 300KB) is that produced by BRE, a private sector company specialising in the built environment and associated industries. However, as this is not a Defra publication we cannot take responsibility for its content or views expressed therein.

Further information

• Bothered by noise? – useful information on how to overcome noise problems
• Is your dog barking too much? – helpful advice to dog owners on how to resolve complaints of dog barking without involving the authorities   Guidance on noise dogs, Constant Barking Can Be Avoided (PDF 150 KB)
• Noise Management Guide (PDF 710 KB)
• Find out more about taking formal action, please visit Directgov.

Codes of Practice for minimising noise

In 1982 three Codes of Practice were approved under the procedure in section 71 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The purpose of the codes is to provide guidance on appropriate methods of minimising noise.

• The Code of Practice on Noise from Ice-Cream Van Chimes Etc. provides guidance on methods of minimising annoyance or disturbance caused by the operation of loudspeakers fixed to ice-cream vans and similar vehicles. It includes a summary of the suggested guidelines for operating loudspeakers which mobile vendors can display in their vehicles. The guidance contained within the Code is currently open to consultation. For more information and to view the consultation documents, visit the consultation webpage.
• The Code of Practice on Noise from Model Aircraft provides guidance on minimising annoyance or disturbance caused by the sport of flying model aircraft. It outlines the legal controls over model-flying before providing some general operating guidelines including the use of model aircraft in noise-sensitive areas and advice on major model-flying events.
• The Code of Practice on Noise from Audible Intruder Alarms provides guidance on reducing the incidence of nuisance caused by the ringing of intruder alarms. The guidance on minimising annoyance contained within the Code still stands, although it should be noted that the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 introduced new powers for local authorities to deal with noise from audible intruder alarms in their areas. The Act empowers local authorities to designate ‘alarm notification areas’ in which alarm-holders must nominate a key-holder and notify the local authority of that key-holder’s contact details.  It also empowers local authorities to enter premises in order to silence alarms where key-holders cannot be reached or where not in an alarm notification area. These powers of entry apply when an alarm has been sounding for 20 minutes continuously or 1 hour intermittently, and is likely to cause annoyance to those in the vicinity.

Non Defra links

Please note the non Defra links listed below are not the responsibility of Defra and we can therefore take no responsibility for their content or views expressed therein.

• National Farmers Union (NFU) information on bird-scarers