Noisy neighbour silenced

Silence is golden for residents in a block of flats in Leominster after Herefordshire Council's Environmental Health team seized a music system from a noisy neighbour.

The officers swooped on the apartment after the council received a large number of complaints from residents of a block of flats in Holland Road.

The equipment, including six speaker units, was seized on Thursday last week, May 4.

"We received the first complaint towards the end of March and we issued a notice telling the occupier to stop within days," said Environmental Services Manager Robert King.

"However, the complaints continued to come in – but when officers turned up at the flat, the occupier turned the music off," he added.

"It's common for people in this position to play loud music for short periods of time to annoy neighbours. However, after they have contacted us and we rush round, it’s gone quiet."

As a result, officers had to be very persistent and eventually evidence was collected.

"If noise from premises invades your property to such an extent that it causes a nuisance, we can require that the nuisance be stopped," said Robert.

"However, this is not to say that simply hearing any noise from next door is a nuisance as most people can hear some noise. The difference is that it has to be a nuisance.

"For example, it could mean that the noise is so loud you can't listen to your own television when it is being played at a reasonable volume."

After a notice has been served and if it is breached, the council would normally prosecute, although, if officers feel that the time taken getting to court is too long, it can seize equipment, which is what happened in this case.

In this case the occupier’s persistent playing of loud music also resulted in him losing his home as his Housing Association landlord has served him a notice to quit.

"This sends out a clear message that everyone is entitled to live their lives without having to suffer unreasonable noise nuisance from their neighbours," said Cllr Phil Edwards, Cabinet Member (Environment).

"This may seem insignificant to many people who live in Herefordshire, but for those who suffer at the hands of noisy neighbours, this is a crucial role the council fulfils.

"We have these powers to ensure people can live their lives without being disturbed and we shall not hesitate to use them," he added.