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Environmental Services Noise
The controls available to the Council are contained in the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Section 60 of the Act allows the Council to impose restrictions on the building operation by way of a statutory notice. The notice can impose methods of working and “permitted working hours”. However, even where work is carried out within the “permitted working hours” the contractor is expected to adopt the “best practicable means” to ensure that noise from the site is kept to a minimum.
In addition Section 61 of the Act allows the Council to enter into a binding agreement with the developer and/or contractor to abide by the conditions of the agreement. Conditions often include methods of work, including the use or otherwise of certain tools, also silencing and screening methods etc. Other conditions Include noise and vibration monitoring, site contacts and information, training and supervision, but the most important aspect is undoubtedly the hours of work.
On certain projects where it would be impractical to impose the standard daytime “permitted working hours” as the majority of tasks could not be carried out during permitted hours for safety reasons. The number of conditions the Council can impose is largely reduced to what is and is not “best practice”.
You can download and print the Current s60 notices and s61 agreements [PDF file] (File size 31 Kb).
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