Noise Nuisance

We live in the centre of our capital city and are used to the constant hum of traffic, the wail of sirens, the press of thousands of visitors, the distant roar of underground trains running beneath us – but there are limits.

Whether it’s from building works, relentless burglar alarms, early hours deliveries, rowdy and anti-social behaviour in the streets at night or faulty air-conditioning plants, excess noise can cause high levels of stress and misery.

The CGCA’s approach is to try to prevent problems from arising, for example, getting delivery hours written into planning permissions and operational hours into licenses. Agreements can be reached with those carrying out major developments to regulate the duration of excessively noisy demolition or construction works so that there is some respite even within the permitted hours.

But when problems do occur, it is very important to register with the council every instance that you can.

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If you are in Camden it’s best to start by reporting a noise problem via your online account (which is easy for anyone to set up) by logging in here, which has the advantage of keeping a record for everyone later. You can then follow-up with an email to PollutionDuty@Camden.gov.uk which goes to the noise team, asking them to visit to witness the issue and/or to send a warning letter.

You can also all 020 7974 4444 + option 6 then say “noise”; they will resister complaints 24/7 although the Noise Team is available to visit at more limited hours that you can see here.

If you are in in Westminster, you can call the council Noise Team on 020 7641 2000 + option 1; they are available 24/7. Or use the reporting form for Antisocial Behaviour here. Or report a noise problem via your online account (which is easy for anyone to set up) by logging in here, which has the advantage of keeping a record for you.

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If the noise is caused by a licensed business then the council needs to know for next time the business makes any form of application. We have had instances where troublesome premises have been granted extra hours, for example, because the council had no history on record to justify refusal.

You need to call the council responsible for you where you live or where your business is, not the council responsible for the premises where the noise is coming from. We are making ongoing efforts to change this system, but it currently remains so. However, if you are getting nowhere, then please contact us by phone or via NoiseNuisance@CoventGarden.org.uk, as both councils will take complaints submitted by CGCA, wherever they are coming from.

For information on issues related to noisy roadworks, click here.