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Posted By charley
Hello
I wonder if there is anyone who can give me some advice. I live in a rural hamlet. There is an icecream producer opposite. Over the last year the business has expanded considerably and we now have issues regarding noise and vehicles.
More apecifically, they have a motor running 24 hours a day. we have contacted the local council regarding this and they are working with the factory to relocate the machinery. More generally, the noise from the factory starts early in the morning - from 6.30 am. As I work irregular hours this disrupts my sleep.
In addition, the volume of traffic has increased in the lane. There has already been one accident and another is only a matter of time. The lorries start to leave and arrive from 7.00am. Some times we have up to 15 lorries a day, several of them are of the largest size. These lorries are unable to turn into the premises directly and often have to back up into a entrance opposite before entering the premises.
The factory own a fleet of approx. 3 vehicles themselves, the rest are from other companies.
The factory had change of use from agriculture to ice cream production in 1988, but there has been no planning applications since them, although the factory has expanded considerably. I spoke to our local planning office who stated that they were not prepared to investigate a general complaint, but would need a specific complaint about a particular building.
I have been informed that the activity and noise of the factory opposite will affect the value of my property.
Can anyone offer me any advice regarding my situation?
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Although the local planners don't seem very interested, you might get more help from the Environmental Health Dept who could investigate the noise nuisance, particularly if others are also disturbed.
Paul
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Posted By TBC
Have you spoken to the local EHO - I'm sure it comes under their remit to investigate noise pollution. If not they will be able to point you in the right direction.
Here is an extract from the Scarborough Borough Council on this and I'm sure other Authorities follow the same line.
Quote: Pollution Control
A large proportion of the work of the Environmental Regulation Team is concerned with the control of noise problems. These types of problems are wide and varied and many can be effectively dealt with by this section.
We predominantly deal with noise from artificial sources such as discos, live entertainment, machinery, noise from construction sites etc. We may also take action in domestic premises where there is an ongoing noise problem e.g. from a neighbour's television or stereo.
There is no "quick fix" for noise problems, as in order to prove that a nuisance exists, we must take readings over a period of time, and certainly on no less than three occasions before notice can be served. This can prove difficult if the noise is of a sporadic nature, where there is no guarantee that a noise problem is evident at the times of monitoring.
If a notice is successfully served in a case of a noisy neighbour, this notice will remain in effect for an unlimited time, and therefore if the neighbour again causes problems by the same means, they will be liable for immediate prosecution.
If you would like further information, please email us or fill in our online complaint form. Alternatively you may telephone us at the Environmental Regulation Team. End quote.
As a working 'neighbour' this factory has a duty of care not to environmentally impact on others. You.
Good luck
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Posted By AlB
I currently work in the quarrying and manufacturing industry and I know from experience that it is critical for the future of our business that we have a good working relationship with our neighbours. Any future planning applications can easily be refused based on the concerns of our neighbours. We take great care in reducing the impact to the local environment and we rely on regular discussion with our community in order to maintain a health partnership. I recommend that you try and arrange a meeting with the MD of the business (or the local Area or General Manager, depending on the nature of the business) and have a constructive discussion about the problems and any potential solutions. Only the most stubborn would refuse this meeting.
Try not to go and "complain" in terms of aggressive "nagging" (for want of a better word), but go with a positive attitude with the sole purpose of finding a solution that works for everyone (remember that they need to grow in order to secure their future anf the future of their employees). That is when you will see the best and quickest result. It often works better than getting the local authority involved.
Good luck.
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Posted By Les Welling
I had a similar problem with a company at the bottom of my back garden. Whilst the local EHO will help, it is incumbent upon you to keep a log of the times of the noise. You could ask the LAEHO if a noise meter could be put close by to monitor the 24 hrs noise of the engine.
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