St Edmundsbury Borough Council's Environmental Health team are responsible for dealing with noise from most industrial and commercial premises. These investigations are carried out under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, using our statutory powers.
As part of an investigation it may be necessary to take noise measurements or witness the noise from the property affected, to determine if the noise levels are excessive. A visit outside normal working hours may be required if the noise occurs during the evening or weekends.
It is St Edmundsbury Borough Council's Environmental Health teams policy to work with businesses to discuss the issues and achieve the necessary improvements, whenever possible. However, in some cases where this co-operation is not being given the team rely on their formal powers. Should a Statutory Nuisance be establish St Edmundsbury Borough Council will serve an abatement notice on the business responsible requiring them to take measures to reduce noise levels. Failure to comply with the abatement notice can lead to prosecution.
The Environmental Health team also work very closely with the Planning Service when a proposal for a new business is submitted for planning approval. This is to try and ensure that all reasonable steps are being taken to minimise noise in the new development if it is given permission or to explain why we think the proposal is unsuitable.
