DING-DONG ROW
Council probe complaint over church bells
HISTORIC church bells which have chimed every hour for more than a century face being muffled – after one complaint.
A disgruntled local resident claims the noise from the bells is too loud in their bedroom at night.
But other neighbours near the former West Church in Dalkeith, Midlothian, support the chimes, which have rung since the 1890s.
The building is now used by Charles Taylor for his wood- working business and a letter from Midlothian environmental health has warned him that he must find a way to cut the sound level.
It states: “Noise from the bells during night time is a significant increase above the pre-existing background noise levels when measured in the complainant’s bedroom and is subjectively intrusive. I understand you are unable to prevent the clock from chiming between 11pm and 7am. Therefore, I would grateful if you could investigate reasonable steps to reduce the level of noise.”
Ruth and Alastair Sutherland, who have lived next door to the church since 2002, said: “We enjoy the sound greatly and consider it to be part of Dalkeith’s heritage. We feel it unfair to request that the bell be quietened because of the complaint.”
Midlothian Council said: “We are investigating a noise complaint regarding bells chiming at a former church on Old Edinburgh Road, Dalkeith.”
Charles said: “It would not be productive to comment at this time.”