Noise from Demolition and Construction Sites
Demolition and construction are an essential part of 21st Century living. The law aims to strike a balance between allowing building work to proceed without undue levels of disturbance to local residents.
With this in mind no noisy work is permitted on site outside the following approved hours of working:
- Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 6.00pm
- Saturday - 8.00am to 1.00 pm
- Sundays and Bank Holidays - no working
However:
- Contractors may work outside these hours if they are causing no noise i.e. decorating.
- The times can vary on occasions where health and safety prevails.
- There is a responsibility on the developer or builder to keep noise on site down "where reasonably practicable". So, for example, they may not be able to make a pneumatic drill quiet but they have a responsibility to ensure it has a noise-reducing jacket on or that a radio played on site is at a level that does not disturb neighbours.
My neighbour's builders wake me up at 6.30am with their banging and drilling. What should I do?
- First, try to discuss your concerns with your neighbours or, failing that, the developer directly. You may wish to point out the approved hours of working.
- If no improvement occurs start recording instances of any noise outside the approved hours of working on a |Nuisance Record Sheet.
- Register your complaint with the |Environmental Health & Licensing Division and forward a copy of your completed nuisance record sheet.
- We will then investigate your complaint. This could result in a notice being served on the builder requiring that the approved hours are adhered to. If breaches of the notice are confirmed the builder could be prosecuted for non-compliance with the statutory notice.
I'm thinking of developing a house in the Borough of Elmbridge. Do you have any advice on noise?
Contractors are expected to use the best practicable means to minimise noise on site. The Council has produced a booklet entitled |Considerate Construction in Elmbridge which gives detailed guidance for local builders and developers to help them carry out their work in a safe and considerate manner, and to minimise disturbance to neighbours.
Further Information
