Light or noise complaints

Before making a light or noise complaint, it is important to know what these apply to.

The light nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 apply to artificial light nuisance from sources such as:

• streetlights
• domestic and commercial security lights
• advertisement lights
• sports grounds
• exterior lighting of buildings

More information is available from the Scottish Government.

To make a complaint about artificial light nuisance, contact Environmental Health.

Excessive noise can make life a misery; noisy neighbours, barking dogs, noise from licensed premises or construction sites are just some of the problems that can be experienced. Many noise problems, particularly those involving neighbours, can be resolved informally by, for example, explaining to your neighbours the difficulties they are causing. However, when this approach fails the council may be able to help.

Environmental Health can investigate most types of unwanted noise. Noise type can be split into 2 main categories dependent on the source; domestic or non-domestic.

Examples of domestic noise include:

• amplified music
• DIY or car repairs
• domestic appliances (for example, TV or washing machine)
• musical instruments
• domestic alarms
• barking dogs
• banging doors
• raised voices

Non-domestic noise is noise which originates from any source other than a domestic property. Examples include:

• commercial/industrial alarms
• commercial premises
• industrial premises
• entertainment/music (for example, public houses, nightclubs)
• construction/demolition
• roadworks

Warning notices can be issued where noise from a domestic property exceeds the noise limit, or in the opinion of an officer is likely to exceed the limit. Warning notices require the noise maker to stop or turn down the unwanted noise within 10 minutes of its service. Non-compliance with such a notice is an offence and could lead to a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Alternatively, a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 may be issued and requires to be paid within 28 days.

In addition, where an officer is of the opinion that a nuisance exists in terms of Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 an abatement notice could be served. Non-compliance with an abatement notice is an offence and could lead to a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Alternatively, a fixed penalty of £150 could be offered or in the case of trade, commercial or industrial premises, a penalty of £400.

Noise complaints can be made by contacting Environmental Health below.

Environmental Health can give advice regarding complaints about annoying creatures.