This policy outlines the commitment of Milton Keynes Council to investigating and tackling complaints of neighbourhood noise, excluding noise control at the Planning or Building Control phase. This policy is supported by, and to be read in conjunction with, Annex 1: the for Neighbourhood Noise Nuisance Complaint ‘Procedure Investigation’ which details the approach and procedure taken by Milton Keynes Council in the investigation of complaints of neighbourhood noise nuisance. It is the policy of Milton Keynes Council to: Adhere to the published for Neighbourhood Noise Nuisance ‘Procedure Complaint Investigation’ Informally discuss and provide clear advice and guidance to any party that is being affected by noise or is causing such noise; Offer advice to an individual suffering from noise disturbance and try and resolve the matter informally by contacting the person or organisation identified as creating the disturbance. This is often the easiest and most efficient method of resolving problems and we will promote community based solutions. We will recommend that residents speak to their neighbours to resolve minor issues in the first instance. In the majority of instances we generally find that the person or organisation causing the noise may not be aware of the impact it is having; however, we understand that some individuals may be unwilling or unable to do so and therefore we do not require this prior to accepting a formal complaint; Advise a complainant at the earliest opportunity if the matter reported is not one the Council is able to assist with; Undertake a thorough investigation into a formal complaint in a cost effective and proportionate manner, taking such steps as are reasonably practicable and efficient; complaints will be prioritised appropriately and will be allocated to a case officer; Advise all parties as to how the complaint will be investigated, with reference to the investigation procedure, including the methods to be used and approximate timescales; Ensure that all communication is clear and unambiguous. However, is a branch of physics concerned with the nature and properties of ‘acoustics’ sound and in addition, nuisance’ is a branch of law, as such some ‘statutory information and terminology might be unavoidably technical in nature, depending on the case specifics; It is our policy not to release complainants’ names and addresses. It might however be necessary for complainants to attend court or provide information to the court in which case it might not be possible to withhold names and addresses, this would be discussed with the person or people concerned at that time;
This policy outlines the commitment of Milton Keynes Council to investigating and tackling complaints of neighbourhood noise, excluding noise control at the Planning or Building Control phase. This policy is supported by, and to be read in conjunction with, Annex 1: the ‘Procedure for Neighbourhood Noise Nuisance Complaint Investigation’ which details the approach and procedure taken by Milton Keynes Council in the investigation of complaints of neighbourhood noise nuisance. It is the policy of Milton Keynes Council to: Adhere to the published ‘Procedure for Neighbourhood Noise Nuisance Complaint Investigation’ Informally discuss and provide clear advice and guidance to any party that is being affected by noise or is causing such noise; Offer advice to an individual suffering from noise disturbance and try and resolve the matter informally by contacting the person or organisation identified as creating the disturbance. This is often the easiest and most efficient method of resolving problems and we will promote community based solutions. We will recommend that residents speak to their neighbours to resolve minor issues in the first instance. In the majority of instances we generally find that the person or organisation causing the noise may not be aware of the impact it is having; however, we understand that some individuals may be unwilling or unable to do so and therefore we do not require this prior to accepting a formal complaint; Advise a complainant at the earliest opportunity if the matter reported is not one the Council is able to assist with; Undertake a thorough investigation into a formal complaint in a cost effective and proportionate manner, taking such steps as are reasonably practicable and efficient; complaints will be prioritised appropriately and will be allocated to a case officer; Advise all parties as to how the complaint will be investigated, with reference to the investigation procedure, including the methods to be used and approximate timescales; Ensure that all communication is clear and unambiguous. However, ‘acoustics’ is a branch of physics concerned with the nature and properties of sound and in addition, ‘statutory nuisance’ is a branch of law, as such some information and terminology might be unavoidably technical in nature, depending on the case specifics; It is our policy not to release complainants’ names and addresses. It might however be necessary for complainants to attend court or provide information to the court in which case it might not be possible to withhold names and addresses, this would be discussed with the person or people concerned at that time;
MK%20Noise%20Policy%20Statement%20DRAFT%20for%20CONSULTATION.docx