BYMICHAEL BRESLIN

The citizens of County Fermanagh, according to an analysis of Noise Complaints made to the Townhall during the year April 2005 until March 2006 came off relatively well compared to, say, Belfast, Lisburn and Coleraine, but they were bedevilled by barking dogs and loud music.

A spokesman for Fermanagh District Council reported that the complaints it had received are up slightly (171 in 06/07) compared to 164 in 05/06, and he confirmed that they mostly concerned domestic loud music and barking dogs or other neighbour noise.

"This is the trend across Northern Ireland", he added.

This Report is the third into noise complaint statistics for Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to inform central government, district councils, the general public and any other interested parties as to the extent of public complaints about noise, which are referred to district councils in Northern Ireland. Once again, the spokesman for the Townhall explained, the main finding is that complaints about noise are on the increase, noise being 'sound which is undesired by the recipient".

"In other words", he explained, " noise can be any sound which is intrusive, disturbing or annoying. Noise is one of the environmental pollutants most often complained about, yet is least often reported publicly'.

But, help is at hand for District councils are the organisations empowered to deal with the vast majority of noise pollution in Northern Ireland.

The Report covers a wide variety of complaints about noise. These have been categorised into the following main noise sources: industrial, commercial and leisure, domestic, construction, demolition or road works, transport, noise in the street.

Under those headings, people in Fermanagh lodged 112 'animal noise' complaints with the Townhall, and 33 complaints to do with (loud) music, television and parties. Other complaints were received relating to noise from workshops, neighbours, house alarms, entertainment premises, street traders, etc.

In all, Fermanagh District Council received 164 complaints over the 12 months, from April 2005 until March, 2006.

Based on 1,000 of the population, the volume was just one more tan for Omagh District Council and 20 more than for Strabane District. In all 11 of the 26 District Councils experienced a lower complaints' volume, placing in mid-table position in the complaints' league able.

But, who would want to live in Belfast City Council area, or parts of it where over the same period, the City Hall logged 5,714 complaints (2,666 relating to loud music, television and parties, and 1,030 to do with animal noises), with Lisburn (500) and Coleraine (454) a long way behind, but still well out in front of Fermanagh?

Apart from Fermanagh, perhaps Moyle District Council area wouldn't be a bad place to reside. There, for the 12 months in the 2005/'06 year, there were a mere 68 complaints, which works out at less than six complaints per week.

A spokesman for The Department of the Environment said the DoE regards the information derived from this Report as an important indicator on the effectiveness of current controls on noise.

"The reporting of these statistics", said a spokesman, "will enable Departmental officials to target policy development and research needs in respect of environmental and neighbourhood noise more appropriately. It will also provide an opportunity for District Councils to compare their noise statistics with those of neighbouring authorities".

The report details all noise notices served by District Councils, the majority of which were issued in relation to noise emanating from domestic premises. Councils also have discretion to adopt The Noise Act 1996, which provides additional powers to deal with noise at night from domestic premises.

These powers include provision to issue warning notices, fixed penalty notices and, in certain circumstances, the power to seize noise making equipment. Only Belfast City Council has adopted the Noise Act in Northern Ireland. During 2005/06, six Councils, including Fermanagh, did not issue any noise abatement notices.

In dealing with complaints, Council staff endeavoured to seek co-operation and agreement to obtain a solution: "An informal approach", the spokesman explained, "is generally adopted initially to resolve noise complaints. Where this fails, and evidence of a nuisance exists, then more formal action is instigated".

This includes the issue of verbal warnings and written warnings which will often be sufficient to ensure the desired outcome. If required, a formal notice is issued, although a frequent difficulty for Councils is obtaining sufficient evidence to justify the issue of a noise notice. Where notices are not complied with, Councils may instigate legal proceedings for non-compliance.

Further information on noise matters in general, or the content of the Report may be obtained from Department of the Environment, Environmental Policy Division at the following address: Air and Environmental Quality Unit DOE Environmental Policy Division 20-24 Donegall Street Belfast BT1 2GP Tel 028 9054 4573 Fax 028 9054 4599 E-mail envpol@doeni.gov.uk www.ehsni.gov.uk www.doeni.gov.uk