REVEALED: More than 1300 noisy neighbour complaints in Doncaster within a year

Noisy neighbours who blight residents' quality of life sparked more than 1300 complaints in Doncaster last year, The Free Press can reveal today.
Noise complaints.Noise complaints.
Noise complaints.

Statistics uncovered using the Freedom of Information Act showed there were 1947 complaints made about noise to Doncaster Council in 2017 and about two thirds of these were about noisy neighbours playing loud music, holding parties and shouting loudly with 1311 cases.

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Councillor Glyn Jones.Councillor Glyn Jones.
Councillor Glyn Jones.

The area that sparked the highest number of complaints was Hexthorpe and Balby North with 288 incidents – 245 of which were about noisy neighbours.

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The town centre was the next worst area with 164 complaints, followed by Adwick le Street and Carcroft with 132 incidents.

But Doncaster Council chiefs stressed they are working hard to tackle the problem and highlighted how there were 712 successful prosecutions at the town's magistrates' court last year relating to noise complaints.

In a joint statement councillor Glyn Jones, deputy mayor and cabinet member for housing and equalities, and coun Sue Wilkinson warned that people who persistently makes neighbours' lives a misery though noisy behaviour will always face action.

Coun Sue Wilkinson.Coun Sue Wilkinson.
Coun Sue Wilkinson.

“Noisy neighbours are a real nuisance and often a huge blemish on communities. However, because of the close proximity as a neighbour, this does feel, to the victim a very personal attack on their quality of life and well-being.

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“The council is well aware, in certain areas, of incidents of noisy neighbours and have heavily publicised helpline/action numbers and email contacts, offering help, advice and enforcement options to combat these episodes and help prevent these reoccurring.”

Those who breach noise abatement notices face paying a fixed penalty notice of £100, while the maximum fine that can be imposed is £1000.

Hexthorpe.Hexthorpe.
Hexthorpe.

A Doncaster Council spokesperson said: “There are some very real and severe consequences for those who breach noise abatement laws. These include prosecution, seizure of equipment, criminal behaviour order and even loss of tenancy.

In comparison, there were 2254 complaints made about noise to Sheffield Council in 2017 and about two thirds of these were about noisy neighbours with 1457 cases.

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The figures come as it was also revealed councils in Yorkshire and the Humber received nearly 41, 000 statutory nuisance complaints in the 12 months to July 31 last year.

The most common complaint is for noise, comprising nearly half of all complaints.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill Home Insurance, which compiled the figures, said: “Living next to a poorly maintained property, or loud and disruptive neighbours, can not only be a harrowing ordeal but could also affect the long-term value of your home if you were to look to sell.

“Council enforcement of environmental regulations is crucial to ensure the actions of inconsiderate individuals don’t blight the lives of others."

Figures

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Total number of complaints about noise to Doncaster Council in 2017 - 1947

Top 5 areas for all noise complaints

Hexthorpe and Balby North – 288

Town centre – 164

Adwick le Street and Carcroft – 132

Bentley – 114

Mexborough – 113

Top 4 complaints categories for Doncaster

Domestic/loud music/parties/loud shouting – 1311

Domestic dogs/animals – 482

Industrial/commercial – 136

Construction/demolition sites – 18