Council wins court victory over noisy building work

1.56.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Jun 2007

Determination by Richmond Council to protect residents from unwanted noise was underlined this week with a successful noise prosecution.

The owner of a property in East Sheen was fined under the Control of Pollution Act for two breaches of a noise control notice issued by the Council. Andrew Hockey was fined a total of £450 and ordered to pay £800 costs by Richmond Court on Thursday (May 31) for breaching the notice when carrying out construction work at the property in Coval Road. The matter arose after a complaint by a neighbour, following which the Commercial Environmental Health Team served a notice to control noise on the site in November last year. However, complaints continued to be received, despite the notice, with an officer witnessing noisy works being undertaken on two occasions outside the specified hours. Mr Hockey initially denied the offence but later changed his plea to guilty.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said after the hearing:

"With summer coming and the seasonal increase in noise complaints, I hope this prosecution sends out a clear message that we take such complaints very seriously. We will take the strongest possible action, including prosecution where appropriate. Unwanted noise can cause real misery for people and I would urge everyone to be considerate and think of their neighbours, not only over the summer but all-year- round."