Construction & Pollution Control: Noise & Dust, Information and Advice

The authority monitors construction activities to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances.

Construction sites are in the open and are often near existing residential accommodation. Residents will in general accept construction site noise but will complain if work starts early or finishes late or if it takes place on a Saturday afternoon, Sundays or Bank Holidays. Complaints about noise from construction sites are investigated by the Councils Environmental Health staff.

If you are intending to carry out construction works, please contact us.

For construction works, the following advice should be considered as part of pre-planning:

Tell the Council and the neighbours

• Give the Council at least 6 weeks notice of construction work prior to commencement. The Council may impose some conditions about how the work should be done.
• Send a letter to the neighbours before the work starts, telling them about the work and what to expect.
• Give the neighbours a contact name and telephone number and keep them informed of the progress of your works.
• Respond and deal properly with complaints received on site.

Keep dust, noise and smoke to a minimum

Dust: Keep dust down by spraying with water when and where you can.  On large developments, consider employing a wheel washing facility or road sweepers to minimise the transfer of dist form the construction site to the local road network.

Noise: The Council normally restricts the hours of operation heavy plant and machinery of major demolition and construction works within residential locations to between:- 08.00 - 18.00 Mondays to Fridays and 08.30 -13.00 Saturdays with no such works carried out on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Exceptions to the hours stated above are considered on their merits such as emergencies and essential works where it is not practical for them to be carried out at any other time.

Particularly noisy operations, for example pile driving which may need more stringent controls. Pumps and generators should not be left running overnight if they can be heard outside the site.

If you are a householder doing some or all of the work yourself, try to avoid causing any noise or dust in the evenings or on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

If noise problems occur (i.e. unacceptable noise levels are experienced by your neighbours), the Council and your neighbours can take legal action. If you think that your work may cause a significant nuisance to your neighbours from noise or vibration, you should discuss the works with the Council, who will allow a certain level of noise to occur at reasonable times.

Obstruction and damage to pavements

• Do not let vehicles or materials block or damage the pavements.
• Do not leave obstacles, holes or trenches where they are a danger, especially to disabled people (eg the blind).
• The Council may charge you for any damage caused to pavements, kerbs or verges by Lorries or heavy plant.

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