Make Some Noise!

I don’t know about you but I have grown used to some of the noises we hear in and around the Evington area. The farm machinery when the fields are being ploughed or the harvest is being taken in, the aircraft noise from Leicestershire Aero Club or the Helicentre Aviation Academy, both at Leicester Airport, the engine noise from karting at Stretton Circuit and the football and occasional sports day or other event from Judgemeadow Community College.

Even though the disturbances from all these sources fluctuates from non-existent to quite annoying, when for example aircraft continually pass over your roof hour after hour in the spring and summer, most of us tolerate 95% of this noise. It is only when it becomes excessive that it causes us to cringe. For example, a few months back Leicestershire Aero Club hosted a weekend of stunt flying. The club has been awarded preferred training partner status by British Aerobatics thus they were chosen to host this event. We endured the sound of stunt pilots for three days as ‘Biggles and Co’ showed off their skills in vertical accents and the ability to loop the loop.

I phoned Leicestershire Aero Club to complain and basically there was little sympathy shown as it is authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority who state:

“If a particular aircraft is causing noise nuisance but is not breaching the Rules of the Air we don’t have legal power to restrict its activity.”

A second instance of excessive noise came from a private function held at Judgemeadow Community College when loud music and PA announcements plagued us from early morning until evening. Once again, I picked up the telephone, this time to the City Council who did show some concern but as it was not going on at the time of my call, could not assess the situation and therefore intervene.

In respect to noise, the council (both city and county) have a duty to investigate noise that constitutes a Statutory Nuisance and has powers to deal with noise deemed to be Anti-social Behaviour. Through an incremental approach, the council may be able to take action to resolve such issues if there is sufficient evidence available to show that the noise is:

Prejudicial to health or materially interfering with the use and enjoyment of one’s property

Or

Having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality and is unreasonable.

If a complaint relates to a licensed premises or a development with planning consent, the council may share details of the complaint with their licensing or planning enforcement teams, to assist with their investigations.

Gary at the City Council noise team gave me the following information.

If we experience excessive noise that persists and falls into one of the two categories above, then phone the Duty Officer on 0116 454 3020 immediately.

If it is regarding Judgemeadow Community College quote reference number 25/31759

Other than that, it is back to tolerating 95% of these disturbances.