0:00:02 > 0:00:06All over the UK, millions of people just like you and me
0:00:06 > 0:00:10are being driven up the wall by anti-social nuisance noise.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Not concerned about their neighbours, what time of night it is or nothing like that.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19It's because you feel completely unable to do anything about it,
0:00:19 > 0:00:21that's what gets you.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Persistent parties...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26..aggravating alarms...
0:00:26 > 0:00:27CAR ALARM WHINES
0:00:27 > 0:00:30..and banging builders.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35They're keeping us awake, disturbing our peace and quiet
0:00:35 > 0:00:37and driving us to despair.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38It's making me feel
0:00:38 > 0:00:42I don't seem to have much rights as a human being, really.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44But the fightback is on.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47We're getting complaints about the noise.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Across the country, dedicated enforcement teams
0:00:50 > 0:00:54are getting to grips with nuisance noise 24/7.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58I'm searching for a health and safety reason to give you permission,
0:00:58 > 0:00:59but I can't find one.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01It's just boom, boom, boom.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Enough is enough. It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08I have to caution you, OK?
0:01:08 > 0:01:12It's time to meet the no-nonsense Noise Squad.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Being driven to distraction on today's show -
0:01:29 > 0:01:34a local resident is seriously fed up with noisy building work.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It actually sounds like it's inside the pillars
0:01:37 > 0:01:39and inside the cupboards, and that, you know,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43there's someone inside your house working, it's so loud.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Officers are called to deal with a complaint about a noisy nightclub.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Every night till the early hours.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Relentless, non-stop noise that something could be done about.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And man's best friend is in the dog house.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- DOG BARKS - Shut up!
0:02:02 > 0:02:06We've had a complaint about a dog from this address barking a lot.
0:02:06 > 0:02:07- Barking?- Yeah.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Westminster in the heart of London
0:02:13 > 0:02:16is home to the country's biggest and busiest Noise Squad.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23Last year, on average, the council's team of noise enforcement officers
0:02:23 > 0:02:26dealt with over 50 complaints a day, and during the day
0:02:26 > 0:02:30one of the biggest headaches are noisy builders.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36It's just noise after noise, and it's been every weekend
0:02:36 > 0:02:38for the last six to eight weeks. It's just too much.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The weekend's meant to be for everybody to relax,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44but all they do is want to make noise.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Builders might be driving people up the wall,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49but the council's Noise Squad patrol the streets
0:02:49 > 0:02:54clamping down on illegal nuisance noise from building sites.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57We could prosecute you. If we catch you working
0:02:57 > 0:03:01and doing drilling and things, we will prosecute you.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04It's Saturday, and noise enforcement officer Steve Pennington
0:03:04 > 0:03:08is on his way to deal with a complaint about noisy builders.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12I just don't think that a lot of contractors realise
0:03:12 > 0:03:17how annoying and upsetting their noise is.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Here in Westminster, noisy building work with heavy machinery
0:03:20 > 0:03:25can only take place between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and between 8am and 1pm on a Saturday.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33Anything outside these hours or on a bank holiday is illegal.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41There have been 11 complaints from three different people about the site Steve's come to see,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43but as no noise officer
0:03:43 > 0:03:46has been able to witness any nuisance noise first-hand,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49they've not been able to take any action.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52That's the back of the new courts, the magistrates' court,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56and this is where they've sliced off the old houses
0:03:56 > 0:03:58which are just angle-ground straight down.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01There was no response from the complainant for this one, anyway,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05so...where are we? Homer Street next.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09MACHINE WHIRRS IN THE DISTANCE
0:04:09 > 0:04:10Ooh, I can hear something.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Don't know what that is.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Don't know where it's coming from, cos that's padlocked.
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Or is it padlocked?
0:04:25 > 0:04:28There are two projects taking place here.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31One is to build new law courts, which is the grey building
0:04:31 > 0:04:34you can see at the back, and the other to build flats
0:04:34 > 0:04:38between the law courts and the existing building here on the right.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42The complaint Steve has received is about the work on the law courts,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46but with no more noise to be heard, he decides to head off.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49As he does, though, he bumps into Will, who called
0:04:49 > 0:04:53to complain about work taking place after 1pm on a Saturday.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57They said they were tarmacking inside there.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- She said to me, "Don't worry, we'll be finished at 1pm."- Right.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I work at home. I was working, and at about 1.10pm,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I came out and the tarmac machine was going up and down the mews.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I asked what time they were finishing, and the guys said,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13"It's nothing to do with us," so I asked to see the foreman.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17And I just asked why they were still working.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20And she said, "Oh, we came out at 1pm, and it's nearly finished."
0:05:20 > 0:05:22I said, "You're avoiding the question.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25"Why are you carrying on after 1pm?"
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And they wouldn't really answer the question.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- What time was this at? - This was about 1.30pm.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Will was so frustrated that he took footage on his phone of work
0:05:34 > 0:05:37he says was taking place after 1pm today.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I said, "Look, I'm not going to move."
0:05:42 > 0:05:46They'd reversed the tarmac lorry up to refill the machine that lays the tarmac.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I said, "I'm not going to move, you've got to stop."
0:05:49 > 0:05:54They had no choice. They told them to pack up. This was about 1.40pm.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59But then the steamroller kept going after they'd told them to stop.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03I was standing there watching him. When he saw me actually taking the footage,
0:06:03 > 0:06:08he said, "Right, you've got to stop." It was between 1.40pm and 1.45pm.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11How long are they here for until they finish?
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Another year, is it? - It'll be about another year.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17All right, well, keep calling us.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21This is a difficult case for Steve and his colleagues.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24As the mobile phone footage wouldn't be acceptable evidence in court
0:06:24 > 0:06:28and he hasn't witnessed any nuisance noise taking place himself,
0:06:28 > 0:06:29there's nothing he can do today.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34For his part, Will claims that noise from both building projects
0:06:34 > 0:06:36is seriously affecting his life.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40I work at home, and the noise - you can't make any phone calls.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Even if the TV's on,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44it's so loud, you can't actually hear the TV.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48So it's completely disruptive. You can't make phone calls,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51you can't concentrate.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54It completely interferes with trying to get any work done.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59At one point, even being objective, it was like a small earthquake.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It wasn't just us feeling the vibrations.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04On bookshelves, things were moving around. Slightly.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's unbelievable.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Steve might not have been able to take any action today,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16but this isn't the last time he'll be seeing Will.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20When you're on the party wall, it drives you insane.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22FAINT GRINDING NOISE
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It's two or three times louder than that.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29He's going to be called back to deal with a complaint
0:07:29 > 0:07:32about the other building site.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Every night across the UK, people switch off the TV,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45turn out the lights and head for bed,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48only to kept awake by sounds like this...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51MUSIC AND CHATTER
0:07:51 > 0:07:52And this...
0:07:52 > 0:07:56MUSIC
0:07:56 > 0:07:59In York, the county town of Yorkshire,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02the council's Noise Squad are used to dealing with boisterous bashes.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I want it turned off externally and taken inside.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08And rowdy revellers.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10You can't tell them to shut up.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13If it starts getting a bit noisy, keep an eye on it
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- and ask a few people to go in. - I'll tell them to be quiet.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Tonight, Helen Howlett and Ian Gray are working the night shift,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23and between them, they've got plenty of experience of dealing with
0:08:23 > 0:08:25antisocial nuisance noise.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27It's Wednesday night
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and that's a big night for students looking to party,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33as many of the city's pubs and clubs
0:08:33 > 0:08:37run midweek promotions to attract customers.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40The city is home to over 20,000 students,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43so things can often get rowdy, and Ian and Helen are on their way
0:08:43 > 0:08:48to investigate a complaint about an allegedly noisy club.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51We've had complaints regarding one of the nightclubs
0:08:51 > 0:08:55where there's lots of queuing outside, the students are noisy,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57but to let the queue into the premises,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59they're leaving the doors open,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02so there's often loud music coming out of the club
0:09:02 > 0:09:06while the students are queuing up and getting into the nightclub.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07This isn't the first time
0:09:07 > 0:09:11the city's Noise Squad have received complaints about this club.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14We have had problems historically with this premises.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16This is a new complaint.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18It's not a complainant's property we've been to before,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22so it'll be interesting to see whether they are affected
0:09:22 > 0:09:24and exactly how badly they are affected.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28There are plenty of bars and clubs in this area,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and most of the flats are listed buildings,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33so double-glazing isn't allowed.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36As far as noise is concerned, it's not a great mix.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41We don't have an open notice on the premises, no.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44We have served one a couple of years ago, but that's not relevant,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48because the business has changed hands since, so it's a case of
0:09:48 > 0:09:51starting from scratch, investigating and seeing what we find.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55As the crowds start to build outside the club,
0:09:55 > 0:10:00Helen and Ian go to visit a complainant who's called them in.
0:10:00 > 0:10:0311pm is usually the time when it starts to pick up,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- would you say?- It started a bit earlier tonight, but usually, yeah.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10There are two types of noise that are causing an annoyance -
0:10:10 > 0:10:12the thumping bass from the dance floor
0:10:12 > 0:10:15and the shouting and chatter from the queue.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Much bigger queues. They must be doing real big drinks specials
0:10:18 > 0:10:20or something, because it's definitely changed,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22and got a lot worse, in the noise.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Do you think it's the music that's more, as well as the queues or both?
0:10:26 > 0:10:28The music's loud as well as the queues, yeah.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32What we need to do while we're here is monitor it for a period of time
0:10:32 > 0:10:34and make a few notes of what we can hear.
0:10:34 > 0:10:40We're mindful of the fact that there are licensing conditions on the licence,
0:10:40 > 0:10:44so anything that we find tonight that is possibly a breach of the licence,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47we'll feed that to our colleagues in licensing enforcement.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50It might be more appropriate for them to deal with the licence.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54It's just a case of spending the time to listen and experience
0:10:54 > 0:10:57what you normally listen to on a Wednesday night.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Different councils deal with nuisance noise
0:11:01 > 0:11:04in slightly different ways.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Here in York, if Ian and Helen witness a problem,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10they have the power to serve the club's owner
0:11:10 > 0:11:12with a noise abatement notice.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15This is a legal notice
0:11:15 > 0:11:19which requires the owner to sort the problem.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22If they don't, the Noise Squad could start legal proceedings,
0:11:22 > 0:11:26which may lead to fines and even the venue losing its licence.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Ian and Helen have to decide if the noise could be reasonably said
0:11:30 > 0:11:35to be causing a nuisance to this homeowner.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37We're not using any equipment, basically.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40We'll just have a listen and make an assessment, really,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44as to whether we feel it would be enough to disturb somebody's sleep.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47It's not quite straightforward for the noise on the street.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51That's something which, under the licensing conditions which they've got,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54the doorman should be at least controlling the queue
0:11:54 > 0:11:57and making sure that it's not causing a disturbance.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00In terms of our legislation, we can deal with the noise itself
0:12:00 > 0:12:03coming from the premises such as the loudness of the music.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08For her part, this resident has had an earful.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's a very noisy street, which we're used to,
0:12:10 > 0:12:15but this is above and beyond, and we've got kids
0:12:15 > 0:12:18that go to school the next day, and we have to get up for work.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Every night till the early hours, relentless non-stop noise
0:12:22 > 0:12:24that something could be done about,
0:12:24 > 0:12:26so, you know, it's unreasonable noise.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Well, I'd just really like the club to turn its music down
0:12:31 > 0:12:35and get its people in the doors faster, really.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I don't want to be a killjoy or ruin anyone's fun,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40but I'd just like them to do it all a bit faster
0:12:40 > 0:12:42and a bit more efficiently and a bit more quietly.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Under the terms of their licence, the club are responsible
0:12:47 > 0:12:51for people coming into and leaving their premises as quietly as possible.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54If they don't do this, Ian and Helen could refer them
0:12:54 > 0:12:57to the licensing department of the council.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03There is a licensing condition that they need to be outside
0:13:03 > 0:13:06monitoring noise levels and dealing with noise.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10They should be recording when they're doing those checks
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and what actions they've done as a result of the checks, if necessary.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17So the best thing to do is to go on the night
0:13:17 > 0:13:19and ask to see those records on the night
0:13:19 > 0:13:22rather than ask them a couple of days later.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Plus, I'd like to know where the bass beat is coming from that we can hear.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29There's a number of rooms in the premises -
0:13:29 > 0:13:31the basement and also they play music on the first floor,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34so we can't quite tell where it's coming from,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37so it'd be worth visiting just to find that out as well.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42York has two universities, and they've run a shush campaign.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45The aim is to keep noise levels from partying students down
0:13:45 > 0:13:47by giving them a sweet distraction.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50They've been giving out lollies at the end of the night,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53so instead of the students walking down the street
0:13:53 > 0:13:55shouting, screaming and having fun,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58most of them have a lolly in their mouth,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01which obviously helps keep them a bit quieter.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03So that was the centrepiece of their campaign.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06There are no lollies in this queue tonight.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Ian and Helen have decided it's time to act,
0:14:08 > 0:14:11and this lady is delighted
0:14:11 > 0:14:14that she might be able to get some sweet dreams.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Well, I'm just glad that somebody's listened to us, you know,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22that something's sort of being done about it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Having decided there's a problem, Helen and Ian
0:14:26 > 0:14:28head off to take action.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We'll be with them later as they confront the manager
0:14:33 > 0:14:36and try to get this noisy nightclub to quieten down.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41So we've been in their house for an hour this evening
0:14:41 > 0:14:45and we can hear the bass beat from here inside their property.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58With new flats, offices and hotels being built all year round in Westminster,
0:14:58 > 0:15:00the council's Noise Squad are well used
0:15:00 > 0:15:03to dealing with complaints about noisy builders.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Today, Steve Pennington is on his way
0:15:06 > 0:15:08to deal with a case that's just come in.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13I've just had an urgent call from one of the other officers
0:15:13 > 0:15:18that she's had quite a few complaints
0:15:18 > 0:15:21about some scaffolders
0:15:21 > 0:15:25and asking if we can attend.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33The noise from the scaffolding is extremely unpleasant.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38I don't think it's possible to do scaffolding quietly.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44We have people that have tried, and it's just not easy.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The poles themselves make a hell of a noise.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49It's Sunday, and here in Westminster,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52that means there's no noisy building work allowed by law
0:15:52 > 0:15:55without prior permission from the council.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57When Steve arrives at the site, though,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59it's clear that work has been going on.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08The first job is to find whoever is in charge.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Morning. Not too bad. I'm from the council.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- The council? - Yeah, is the boss about?
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- Anyone?- Anyone.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Are you the boss?
0:16:17 > 0:16:22Steve from the council. Someone's complained about working on a Sunday,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27so I've come round to have a word and see if there's any reason why you're doing it on a Sunday.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Is there any health and safety reason?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Or is it just that it's convenient to the client?
0:16:31 > 0:16:38The Noise Squad can allow noisy work like scaffolding if there's a proper health and safety reason for it.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43On busy streets, scaffolding is often done at night when there are less people about.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- We have scaffolding in Oxford Street, and you can only do it after midnight.- After midnight? Really?
0:16:48 > 0:16:51They won't let you do it - it's health and safety.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53You've got thousands of people walking up and down.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57But residential areas, unless there's a health and safety reason,
0:16:57 > 0:17:02like it's dangerous for people, you can't do it on a Sunday.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04It's got to be done Monday to Friday.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09In this instance, there's no safety reason for the scaffolders to be working on a Sunday.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15They say they need up to a couple of hours to finish off. That's too long for Steve.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17That's too much. If it was going to be ten minutes,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20just finishing off, making it safe, fair enough,
0:17:20 > 0:17:25but two hours is too much. I'm searching for a health and safety reason
0:17:25 > 0:17:28to give you permission to do it, but I just can't find one.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31If you can make it safe, then. Thanks very much, guys. Cheers.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35The scaffolders claim that it's safer to do the job at the weekend.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38From Monday to Friday it's a busy road.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39People are walking.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44We can't strike, because we have to load the trailer, you know?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46It's not very safe if you go in with the tube.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50You have to put one, one person have to stand over here
0:17:50 > 0:17:53on the pavement and have to say "Go, stop, go, stop,"
0:17:53 > 0:17:54you know what I mean?
0:17:54 > 0:17:57On a quiet road like this, Steve's decided
0:17:57 > 0:18:00there's no health and safety reason for the work to be done on a Sunday,
0:18:00 > 0:18:05and the scaffolders are reasonable and cooperative.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Yeah, sorry about someone complaining.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10We're just trying to earn a dollar, we've all got mortgages to pay.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15The scaffolding is made safe, and it's a result for Steve.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Yeah, that went really well.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20The problem is that when we arrived, there was absolutely nothing
0:18:20 > 0:18:26going on, so it was a bit difficult to assess how bad it was.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But looking around, I could see there were scaffold poles
0:18:29 > 0:18:33leaning up against the side of the lorry, which is always noisy.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37In order to take action, Noise Squad officers have to witness
0:18:37 > 0:18:39nuisance noise first hand.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41If Steve had heard the workmen making a racket,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45he could have served them with a notice which would have
0:18:45 > 0:18:47legally obliged them to stop any noise.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52As he didn't actually hear anything, he's decided not to serve a notice.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54The problem is that if you start serving notices,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58people have a right of appeal which means going to court.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00So anything that you've said
0:19:00 > 0:19:05and anything that you've done, you can be cross-examined on.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08So, questions like, how far away could you hear the noise?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Was it audible at the site boundary?
0:19:10 > 0:19:13What were they doing? All this information
0:19:13 > 0:19:16you've got to have notes on if you're going to serve a notice.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Because you've got to justify 100% why you served that notice
0:19:20 > 0:19:23and what your evidence was.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26If you haven't got that, you're wasting time and money
0:19:26 > 0:19:29and resources, which the council just does not have,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32so everything's got to be done properly and by the book.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Steve didn't serve a notice, but he did make sure there was
0:19:36 > 0:19:39no noise coming from the site for the rest of the day.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42There were no more complaints and no further action was needed.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Steve might have sorted these scaffolders,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54but he's not finished with noisy builders just yet.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57He has to deal with another complaint from Will
0:19:57 > 0:20:00who's seriously hacked off with the building work
0:20:00 > 0:20:02taking place at the back of his flat.
0:20:02 > 0:20:0610.10am, there was drilling and heavy hammering on the party wall
0:20:06 > 0:20:08that was reverberating straight through the house.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13And in York, officers confront the manager of a noisy nightclub.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17So we've been in their house for an hour this evening
0:20:17 > 0:20:22and we can hear the bass beat from here inside their property.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31All across the UK, people are being driven barking mad
0:20:31 > 0:20:34by uncontrolled barking dogs.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38I just feel cross and angry and upset at the moment.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Any slight noise like walking up and down the stairs,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45shutting the door, it barks, barks, barks and it doesnae stop.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It's just so irritating, the wee annoying bark.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51It's not a normal dog. It's like an alien.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Most dogs bark, and if it's at the postie, the binman
0:20:55 > 0:20:59or when it's out and about on a walk, that's not a problem.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Barking only becomes a nuisance when it's prolonged and on your property.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07The most annoying night of my life was when dogs kept barking at night
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and I was staying in a very expensive hotel
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and I couldn't get rid of the noise of the dogs.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18In Belfast, the council's Noise Squad get plenty of complaints
0:21:18 > 0:21:22about barking dogs, but they don't have to tackle this problem alone.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Brenda is one of nine dog wardens in Belfast,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and she and the team work closely with the city's Noise Squad.
0:21:29 > 0:21:35If they've come across barking complaints from night-time noise,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38then they would refer them to us if there's a problem there
0:21:38 > 0:21:42that we haven't been out to before within the past six months.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46So initially, we would call out to dog owners and give advice.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49We'd also go to the person who's made the complaint
0:21:49 > 0:21:52to ask them for more information.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Then after we've been to see the owner and given advice,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58we would contact the person who's made the complaint again
0:21:58 > 0:22:00after a couple of weeks
0:22:00 > 0:22:04to see if there's been an improvement in the situation at all.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07If they feel there is an improvement, then it gets closed.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10If they feel that nothing has been done or if it's not improved,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12then we can get it referred back to noise again.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Today, Brenda's on shift with Kelly,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and they're heading out to meet some owners
0:22:18 > 0:22:21whose dogs have attracted some complaints.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25The problem with barking dogs
0:22:25 > 0:22:28is they're more persistent than a lot of other noise complaints
0:22:28 > 0:22:34where people ring us when it's been going on for several weeks.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Parties are more random and sporadic,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41whereas if a dog has got a behavioural problem,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43it'll need addressed and it'll take time to fix it
0:22:43 > 0:22:46as opposed to just turning off a hi-fi.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51Part of Brenda and Kelly's job is to offer practical solutions
0:22:51 > 0:22:55to stop dogs barking, and they're armed with plenty of advice.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Basic advice on what causes a dog to bark
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and some of the behavioural problems, like separation anxiety,
0:23:01 > 0:23:08which is generally a dog that barks and howls when it's left on its own.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Which is a very common thing,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13usually due to lack of training as a pup.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17Kelly and Brenda arrive to deal with their first case.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21DOG BARKS
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Shut up, be quiet.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27We've had a complaint about a dog from this address barking a lot.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28- Barking?- Yeah.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33Now, our information on it is limited because we haven't been able
0:23:33 > 0:23:37to get in contact with the person who's made the complaint.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Would your dog bark much?
0:23:38 > 0:23:40The dog owner explains that her dogs bark
0:23:40 > 0:23:44when they first step outside the property to go for a walk.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The barking's only really a problem when it's on your property.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50It's not whenever you're walking her or anything,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52it's only when it's on your property.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53- When it's here?- Yes.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Does she bark whenever she's on your property,
0:23:56 > 0:23:57when she's in your house?
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- Generally, no. - No? Not that you're aware of?
0:23:59 > 0:24:04No, generally, no. She might cry a bit if I leave her,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06she might howl a bit if you leave her,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08but other than that...
0:24:08 > 0:24:10It sounds like this lady's dogs
0:24:10 > 0:24:14might suffer from separation anxiety.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18If you've got dogs and want to keep them quiet when you're not in,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21get them used to being alone for short amounts of time
0:24:21 > 0:24:24and gradually build it up to longer periods.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Give them a toy or a bone to play with.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Don't make a fuss of them before you leave
0:24:30 > 0:24:32and leave them where they won't see things
0:24:32 > 0:24:36which may make them bark, such as dogs or people.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39In order to own a dog in Belfast, you have to have a licence.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43This lady doesn't have one, and that's an offence.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47She'll have to get one within seven days or face a £25 fine.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Because it's an offence not to have a dog licence,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53I have to caution you, OK? You do not have to say anything,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56but I must caution you that if you do not mention when questioned
0:24:56 > 0:24:59something which you may later rely on in court, it may harm your defence.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- If you do say anything, it may be given in evidence. Do you understand?- Aye.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Do you want to reply to it?- No. - No? That's all right.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Can I ask you your name, please?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09The ladies leave the dog owner with some useful info
0:25:09 > 0:25:14on how to keep her dogs quiet and an application for a dog licence.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17They'll log the visit and pass on the details to the Noise Squad
0:25:17 > 0:25:20in case there are any further complaints.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23All we need you to do is get a dog licence, OK?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Thank you very much for your time. - Thank you.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Brenda and Kelly didn't witness any problem barking.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31They've been unable to get in touch with the complainant
0:25:31 > 0:25:36to get more specific details as to when the barking occurs,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38so there's not much more they can do here.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41If we do ever manage to get in contact
0:25:41 > 0:25:47with the person who's made the complaint and they do say that it's when she's walking them,
0:25:47 > 0:25:52we'll just have to advise them that in a public place there's no offence.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- They seem well looked after, those wee dogs.- Yeah.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00The next complaint is about a dog
0:26:00 > 0:26:03whose neighbours claim is a repeat barking offender.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05The ladies go to sound out the owner.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We have had a complaint about a dog from this address
0:26:10 > 0:26:14barking at around eight o'clock at night, ten o'clock at night.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19I'm not sure whether it's allegedly inside the property or outside the property.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Would your dog bark at that time of night for...
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It will bark at people who are walking their dogs past.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It goes to the gate and it barks.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- Does your gate back on to that road, maybe?- It backs on to the road, yeah.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- So, someone's complained? Oh, that's awful!- Yeah.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Basically what happens is... - Shame they couldn't have come to us.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- Some people just don't like, you know, going directly to...- OK.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- ..and then they come through us and we just have to make you aware.- OK, fair enough.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44If after a certain period of time
0:26:44 > 0:26:48the person who's made the complaint isn't happy that the barking has subsided, or whatever,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51they have the option of referring it on to the night ti...
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- Sorry, the daytime noise team...- OK.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56..and they would possibly make recordings
0:26:56 > 0:27:00of what the perceived nuisance noise is.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04- The problem is that if it's happening of an evening when we might be out.- Right.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05You know, she's in the back garden.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Possibly, then just keep her in the house or something?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10She doesn't like being in the house cos she's used to being outside.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Would you feel you need any advice about it, any training ideas?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17We have moved from the country not that long ago
0:27:17 > 0:27:20and we had a massive garden and the dog never would bark at other dogs
0:27:20 > 0:27:22cos he never saw any other dogs.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28So, now, we are aware of it, but it doesn't distress us...
0:27:28 > 0:27:32This dog owner seems unaware that her dog might be annoying her neighbours.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Brenda and Kelly have let her know there's a problem
0:27:35 > 0:27:39and she's taking things seriously and being extremely cooperative.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45- No problem, thanks for being so cooperative.- Thank you, thanks.- Bye.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I think she is quite considerate for her neighbours.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I think she was genuinely a wee bit...miffed.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53She was coming across as being responsible.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Yeah, I think she is going to try and sort something out.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02It's been a busy shift for the ladies, but a productive one.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06They received no further complaints about the two properties they visited
0:28:06 > 0:28:08and no further action has been necessary.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20In York, noise officers Helen Howlett and Ian Gray
0:28:20 > 0:28:24are dealing with a complaint about a noisy nightclub.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Having monitored the noise from a neighbour's flat
0:28:26 > 0:28:30they've decided to go and have a word with the owner of the club.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Once inside, they let him know there's a nearby resident
0:28:33 > 0:28:39who is less than impressed at being kept awake by a booming bass and queuing clubbers.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42SPEECH DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC
0:28:42 > 0:28:44So, we've been in their house for an hour this evening
0:28:44 > 0:28:49and we can hear the bass beat from here inside their property.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Under the terms of their licence,
0:28:51 > 0:28:56the nightclub are responsible for keeping noise levels from their music and clubbers under control.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00If they don't, they could get a written warning from the Noise Squad
0:29:00 > 0:29:03and be investigated by the Licensing Department.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07The manager here, though, is keen to sort the problem out
0:29:07 > 0:29:10and thinks he knows which floor the problem bass in on.
0:29:12 > 0:29:13It's got to be upstairs.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Is it the bass, or is it the vibration of the windows?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18It's the bass, it's just this boom-boom...
0:29:18 > 0:29:22This chap is co-operating with Ian and Helen
0:29:22 > 0:29:24and is keen to sort out the problem tonight
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and find a long-term solution.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Initially, what I'll do tonight is tell them to turn it down.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30What we have done in the past,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32we solved the problem by putting triangular foam.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34You know, that absorbs the sound,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37put that on the inside and that worked.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41It's not just a booming bass that's the problem here, though.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43I also wanted to speak to you about your queue
0:29:43 > 0:29:47- and are you doing the monitoring for this as well?- Yes, yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Do you have some records we can look at for tonight?
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Yes, I've got the records for you on the door.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54Once the bass is turned down,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Ian calls the complainant to ask if she's noticed any difference in the level.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02It's a step in the right direction anyway, but it's still audible.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04OK, that's fine, that'll do for the time being.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08We'll speak to you again at a more sociable time.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10OK, all right.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Ian and Helen are making progress.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Having got the music turned down,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18the manager has returned with the log book
0:30:18 > 0:30:19so that Helen can inspect it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21He's new to the job here
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and he's doing all he can to sort this problem out tonight.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26From my experience, being here for four months,
0:30:26 > 0:30:32the main problem is clearing the people and dispersal.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35You know, cos at three o'clock in the morning, particularly tonight for example,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39there'll be the best part of 300 or 400 people just going straight out to Micklegate
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and trying to keep them quiet is a hard job.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Ian explains that he's spoken to the complainant
0:30:45 > 0:30:47since the music was turned down
0:30:47 > 0:30:49and although there's been an improvement,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51more still needs to be done.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52It's a big improvement,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55but it's still audible at that level it was turned down to.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58OK, what I need to do then is to get a pro in,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00just to compress it properly for us,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02obviously so we don't lose our quality of sound,
0:31:02 > 0:31:07but also if we take the bits out so it doesn't upset them.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's been a productive meeting.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13The manager has also offered to speak with the complainant
0:31:13 > 0:31:16so they can work together to solve the problem.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Happy that the problem is being taken seriously,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Ian and Helen head off.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23It was definitely a productive evening
0:31:23 > 0:31:25and hopefully we can sort something out
0:31:25 > 0:31:29so these residents don't have to keep putting up with it on a Wednesday evening.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33So, meeting over, advice given, problem sorted? Right?
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Well, not quite - two weeks later Helen is back.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43There have been more complaints about alleged nuisance noise coming from the club
0:31:43 > 0:31:47so she's come along with Nigel from the council's licensing team
0:31:47 > 0:31:51to find out why local residents are still complaining.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Just coming up to 11 o'clock on Tuesday evening
0:31:54 > 0:31:59and Nigel and I are intending to monitor a licensed premises.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01We've had two complaints in the last week
0:32:01 > 0:32:03about mid-week events at these premises
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and I've made arrangements to visit the two complainants.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08So we'll be monitoring noise,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11if we witness any noise from their premises,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15and then decide what action to take once we've witnessed that.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Residents say they can still hear loud music
0:32:18 > 0:32:22and that the queues to get into the club are still too noisy.
0:32:22 > 0:32:23Hello. Thank you very much.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25The student term is over,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28but the club have been promoting an event,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30complete with fire jugglers on the door.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33If the queues are too rowdy tonight,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Nigel will be looking into the club's licensing conditions.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40If the noise is too loud, Helen will be serving an abatement notice.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44I mean, I've got to the stage where I've run out of patience giving them advice.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47They've had fair warning and they know we will be monitoring them.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48In order to take action,
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Noise Enforcement officers have to witness nuisance noise first hand...
0:32:55 > 0:32:56- Well...- 11.20.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Yeah.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01..but after listening in the first complainant's home there's nothing to hear
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and after waiting for half an hour they head off.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07We've just been to the first complainant's property.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10It's someone who reported being disturbed last week on student night.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13We sat for about half an hour in their kitchen
0:33:13 > 0:33:16waiting to hear any noise from the premises,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18but it's very quiet, so we haven't heard anything.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21So we're going to just pop and see the second complainant
0:33:21 > 0:33:23that's expecting us in the next five or ten minutes or so,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27but it does look like it's not a very busy night,
0:33:27 > 0:33:29not quite what we were anticipating.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32If you're suffering from nuisance noise
0:33:32 > 0:33:34there are a number of ways to deal with it.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Try talking to your neighbour.
0:33:36 > 0:33:42If you want help doing this, your local council can put you in touch with mediation services.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44If you don't feel that's going to work,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47your local council are also on hand to deal with the problem.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51So whatever you do, don't suffer in silence.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55The second complainant the team have come to see is a familiar face.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57This is where we monitored in last time, isn't it?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00So would it be all right to just go in and... Thank you.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Helen visited her a couple of weeks ago
0:34:04 > 0:34:06and explains what stage this case has now reached.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11The last letter I sent to them said that we would be monitoring them over the next four months.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15So, over the summer, if this Tuesday night event does pick up,
0:34:15 > 0:34:17then, you know, get back straight back in touch with us
0:34:17 > 0:34:19and we can arrange to come out Tuesdays.
0:34:19 > 0:34:24In any event, we'll be trying to address that noise from the front
0:34:24 > 0:34:27before the student nights start again in October.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Living where we live, we're used to noise,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31but it kind of passes, people make a noise and they pass,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33but that's, it's just standing there for ages, and...
0:34:33 > 0:34:38Lee's clearly fed up, but despite waiting for almost half an hour,
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Helen and Nigel don't witness any problems
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and they decide to call it a night.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47We visited the second complainant
0:34:47 > 0:34:51and it was still very quiet from the premises.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54That person hadn't been affected earlier on in the evening either,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57felt that it was much quieter than normal.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00So we stayed there for a while, we monitored,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03we saw people coming and going...
0:35:03 > 0:35:05and that was about it, really.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08So we've spent a bit of time observing the premises.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12We thought maybe midnight some of the local places might kick out,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16we'd get more people attending, but it's been quite quiet.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Having failed to witness any nuisance noise,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Helen can't take any action tonight.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24But after giving the club some advice
0:35:24 > 0:35:26and warning them that there's a problem,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29she and her colleagues will continue to monitor this situation
0:35:29 > 0:35:31to make sure that the local residents
0:35:31 > 0:35:35don't feel they're living directly next door to a dance floor.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45In Westminster, Steve Pennington of the council's Noise Squad
0:35:45 > 0:35:47is on his way to deal with a complaint
0:35:47 > 0:35:51about alleged noisy work on a building site,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54but getting there is proving to be easier said than done.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00I've got some horses up here, some cavalry horses.
0:36:00 > 0:36:06They're obviously doing something, some sort of exercise.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08The route back...
0:36:09 > 0:36:11..via Buckingham Palace,
0:36:11 > 0:36:15sometimes you can be stuck there for 20 minutes or so,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17just while they close the roads off.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20But it's always a nice, pleasant experience,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22there's not a lot you do about it.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24You're busy trying to get from place to place,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27you just know once you get stuck in that traffic
0:36:27 > 0:36:32just switch your engine off and enjoy it because you're not going anywhere.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Steve's on his way to see Will,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36a local resident who he saw two days ago.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39There are two building projects taking place
0:36:39 > 0:36:41at the back of Will's flat.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46One is to build some new law courts and the other to build new flats.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52I've had several complaints over the weekend about problems.
0:36:52 > 0:36:53I have visited and...
0:36:55 > 0:36:58..unfortunately we've not managed to capture anything as yet,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02so I'm going again today and we shall see what happens when we get there.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08Noisy building work is allowed between 8am and 6pm on a weekday,
0:37:08 > 0:37:11but the builders building the flats have been keen to do what they can
0:37:11 > 0:37:15to limit the amount of disturbance for local residents.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20They've agreed to quiet hours during the week between 10 and 12
0:37:20 > 0:37:21and two and four.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25Will says that today, though, that agreement has been breached.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29I was going to just come in and have a listen, see what it was like inside, but...
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Have they started having earlies, now, have they?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34No, that noise is actually not the problem, it's when they're near the party wall
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- Oh, on this side here? - Yeah, on this side here,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38it just reverberates straight through,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40but after 12 they're allowed to do it.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43In order to create space for the flats,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46an old building has been taken down
0:37:46 > 0:37:48and that's involved heavy and noisy work
0:37:48 > 0:37:51on the party wall with Will's flat.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55That's the courts, the one with the bars on it, whatever that is.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57That's the back of it.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58Of course it is. So, this here,
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- this is the affordable housing in the middle?- Yes.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Having spoken to Will, Steve calls the contractors
0:38:05 > 0:38:07to find out what they have to say
0:38:07 > 0:38:10about the alleged breach of the agreed quiet hours.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12GRINDING MACHINERY
0:38:12 > 0:38:15For Will it's a frustrating situation
0:38:15 > 0:38:19and inside his flat it's clear that being able to work or relax
0:38:19 > 0:38:22is very difficult when work is taking place on the site.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24GRINDING MACHINERY
0:38:28 > 0:38:29This is actually on the building site,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31this is not even the party wall.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Compared to the noise and vibration we've had before.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Erm...when...
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Before it actually sounds like it's inside the pillars
0:38:40 > 0:38:43and inside the cupboards and, you know,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46there is someone inside your house working, it's so loud.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48This is just normal noise coming from the building site
0:38:48 > 0:38:56and, at the moment, this is allowed between the hours of 12 till two
0:38:56 > 0:39:01and eight till ten, 12 to two, four till six,
0:39:01 > 0:39:03this is what you have to put up with.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07Apparently there's nothing you can do about it.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11And when they're at the party wall...
0:39:11 > 0:39:13it just drives you insane.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15It's two or three times louder than that.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17GRINDING MACHINERY
0:39:21 > 0:39:23This is a difficult situation.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25The builders have to carry out their work
0:39:25 > 0:39:28in order to build the flats and the law courts,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30but with this level of noise in his home,
0:39:30 > 0:39:34it's easy to understand why Will is seriously fed up.
0:39:37 > 0:39:43And also my wife, who's a musician, she writes music here at home...
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and while I could probably make a phone call
0:39:46 > 0:39:48or try and write an email,
0:39:48 > 0:39:52as a musician you can't write music while that's going on.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Steve's spoken to the contractors building the flats
0:39:55 > 0:39:57and he's got their side of the story.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02OK, I've just spoken to one of the developers, the site manager,
0:40:02 > 0:40:07and discussed the issue with the party wall noise levels.
0:40:07 > 0:40:13And, erm, the other side of the story is that they are doing all they can
0:40:13 > 0:40:19to ensure that the quiet periods that they volunteered to do are adhered to.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23They've got his, the chap, the complainant's got the direct number,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26so he can phone if there's a problem, or send a text
0:40:26 > 0:40:28and he admitted that he did receive a text this morning
0:40:28 > 0:40:30and immediately phoned the site,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33and there was somebody working where they shouldn't have been,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35and that's been stopped immediately.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38So that's their side of the story, they are doing what they can.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43Having spoken to the builders responsible for building the flats,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Steve's now going to visit those working on the law courts.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51Two days ago, on Saturday afternoon, he was called to the site by Will,
0:40:51 > 0:40:56who claimed noisy building work was taking place after one o'clock
0:40:56 > 0:40:58and that's against the law.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00Steve's decided to have a word with the builders
0:41:00 > 0:41:02to get their side of the story.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04A short while later, he has an update.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13Just been to the site where the courts are being built,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15the new court's being built,
0:41:15 > 0:41:20and I've had a chat with the site manager
0:41:20 > 0:41:24and we've discussed the issue that happened at the weekend,
0:41:24 > 0:41:30where the batching plant for the road resurfacing came late.
0:41:30 > 0:41:36So, they had to turn it away, rather than carry on beyond one o'clock.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38So, again, that's their side of the story,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41is that it got to one o'clock, the delivery was late,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43they turned it away.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Now, the story I heard from the complainant was that he stopped them.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49They carried on working and he had to stand in the road to stop them.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52Then they turned the delivery away.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55So...yeah,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58with not being there, it's difficult to know exactly what happened.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I think today has been, like I said,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04today has been about negotiation, talking to both sides,
0:42:04 > 0:42:05trying to come to...
0:42:07 > 0:42:11..an amicable agreement over how to move forward.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14And I think it's been quite successful, so far,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16but we shall see what happens.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Mediating cases like this can be a tricky task,
0:42:20 > 0:42:24but today Steve's witnessed no serious problems with either site.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27He and his colleagues, though, will be keeping an eye on things
0:42:27 > 0:42:29to make sure any disturbance to local residents
0:42:29 > 0:42:32is kept to a minimum.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39It's been a busy shift today.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Officers have dealt with complaints about building sites...
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Someone's complained about working on a Sunday,
0:42:46 > 0:42:47so I've come round to have a word,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50see if there's any reason why you're doing it on a Sunday.
0:42:50 > 0:42:51..noisy nightclubs...
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Is it the bass or is it the vibration of the windows?
0:42:54 > 0:42:56It's the bass, it's just this boom, boom...
0:42:56 > 0:42:58..and barking dogs.
0:43:00 > 0:43:05There's no let-up in the battle against antisocial nuisance noise
0:43:05 > 0:43:10and plenty more cases still to be dealt with by the Noise Squad.
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0:43:38 > 0:43:41E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk