Sounding off about noisy neighbours

Council chiefs hear three complaints every day

Noisy neighbours are blighting Renfrewshire co m m u n i t i e s w i t h an average of three complaints being made to Renfrewshire Council’s noise enforcement team every day.

According to data seen by the Paisley Daily Express, more than 1,000 complaints have been received every year in each of the past five years.

Officers investigate complaints made to the team and if noise is caused by antisocial behaviour and found to exceed permitted levels, a warning notice is issued.

Between April 2017 and March 2018, officers issued 105 warning notices after investigating 1,133 complaints.

In the same period in 2016/17, 209 warning notices were issued after 1,074 complaints; and in 2015/16, the officers investigated 1,211 complaints, resulting in 150 warning noticed.

Back in 2014/ 15, there were 1,152 complaints resulting in 106 warning notices and in 2013/14, there were 1,246 complaints investigated, resulting in 94 warning notices.

If someone fails to comply with a warning notice, they may be issued with a £100 fixed penalty. This happened in two cases in 2013/ 14, 10 times in 2014/ 15, twice in both 2015/16 and 2016/17 and just once in 2017/18.

A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “Our Noise Enforcement Team investigate all complaints received and, where noise is caused by antisocial behaviour and found to exceed permitted levels, may issue warning notices.

“The service is part of the Renfrewshire ant i s o c i a l behaviour strategy, delivered in partnership with Police Scotland and other community partners, and is helping make Renfrewshire a pleasant place to live and work.”

Complaints were also made about businesses such as construction sites, pubs and clubs and takeaways but these have fallen over the past five years.

In 2013/14, there were a total of 194 complaints made then 180 the following year, in 2015/16 there were 164, a slight rise again in 2016/17 to 177 complaints then back down to 153 in 2017/18.

The figures were obtained by the Express through a Freedom of Information request made to Renfrewshire Council.

The noise enforcement service is part of the Renfrewshire antisocial behaviour strategy delivered by Renfrewshire Council, Strathclyde Police and other community partners.

The team can be called on 07768 988186 during normal working hours and on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm till 4am.

Our Noise Enforcement team investigate all complaints Renfrewshire Council