The challenge then is how to prove the noise “unreasonable and substantially” interferes with home life or is “prejudicial to health”. A 2016/2017 UK study indicated nearly 280,000 statutory nuisance complaints in one year were about noise, but less than 3 per cent resulted in abatement orders.
At night, complaints about noise above permitted levels but are not a statutory nuisance can also result in warning notices. But the quality and quantity of night time noise enforcement varies considerably.
The UK’s broader noise policy aims to minimise noise “as far as reasonably practical”, using tools such as traffic smoothing measures and even rubber bin lids. Organisations, like the Noise Abatement Society and the UK Noise Association, and media outlets, actively disseminate information about the health effects of noise.
The Netherlands tracks the percentage of population who are highly annoyed by traffic noise and aims to keep this percentage stable through statutory framework and guidelines.
MAKING NOISE CONTROL POLICIES MORE ROBUST
To guide environmental health improvement efforts and make Singapore’s noise control (including neighbour noise) policies more robust, another of our studies, published in the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, proposed four pillars.
First, provide information. Accurate information on the health impact of noise pollution and clear information on unacceptable noise disturbances and good community norms will help in reducing noise disputes.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest For News Update Click Here
