Noisy Neighbours Plague Belfast, Says Report

'Love thy Neighbour' may be a commandment that is one of the hardest to follow around NI's capital city as Belfast has proved to be the noisiest neighbourhood in Northern Ireland.

Figures released by the Department of Environment on Wednesday show that of nearly 12,000 noise complaints registered in the region in the last year, half came from people in Belfast.

Even taking account the city's size and population, that is proportionately high, with its average of 22 complaints per 1,000 people more than double that of any other area.

The next highest rate of complaint was in Coleraine, which registered around nine per 1,000.

Other areas with significant numbers of complaints were Carrickfergus and Ards.

The lowest levels were reported by Castlereagh, Fermanagh, Magherafelt and Moyle Councils.

A total of 11,705 complaints were made to councils in 2007/08.

While this was 2% down on the previous year, it was still 39% more than 2003/04.

The vast majority of complaints (82%) related to noise from domestic premises, such as loud music, television, parties and barking dogs.

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said the results showed noise pollution was still a serious issue for many people.

The DUP representative said: "We are all guilty of making noise, but we must remember that when we make too much noise it can cause severe distress to those affected by it."

Most of the complaints involve noise caused by neighbours, the statistics showed and while this can be prevented in the first instance by greater cooperation between neighbours and by people behaving in a more considerate manner, those neighbours who behave unreasonably and cause noise nuisance, can have action taken against them by local councils.

Enforcement is by district councils who have the main responsibility for investigating and dealing with most types of complaint about noise nuisance from the general public.

Other figures revealed that commercial and leisure premises accounted for just 6% of all complaints last year, with the main source being entertainment premises - such as bars and nightclubs.

Only 2% of complaints related to noise from industrial activities.

(BMcC)