Much of the plant and machinery and methods of work used in construction and demolition are naturally very noisy and may give rise to vibration. Residents must be prepared to experience some inconvenience if they live near to a site where demolition or development is happening.
Wirral Council operates a policy that restricts noisy work, undertaken by professional contractors on construction or building and demolition sites, to the following hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
- Saturday: 8am to 1pm
- Sunday: No noisy work
- Public Holidays: No noisy work
Noisy work is considered to include the use of power tools or repeated hammering etc.
Allowable work would include painting and decorating, plastering and bricklaying etc.
Within these hours, there is an expectation that ‘best practicable means’ will be used to prevent nuisances occurring.
These times are for guidance only and it does not automatically mean that operating outside these times is illegal. In some cases, there may be a requirement to undertake certain works outside of these hours. Noisy work outside of the restricted hours may be allowable where there are extenuating circumstances. However, you are required to apply to the council for permission before commencing.
Most people have jobs which need doing around the home. Whether the above permitted hours of work will apply in the scenario were neighbours are carrying out noisy works will need to be assessed on a case by case basis.
We have to accept that many people have jobs during the day and need to do work in the evenings and at weekends. However, this does not give them permission to annoy neighbours at all hours of the day and night or for the work to simply go on and on. We all have to be reasonable to live together.
If you are planning to carry out noisy works on your home, warn your neighbours well in advance and let them know:
- what you are planning
- how long you expect the work to continue
- the times you will be doing the work. If you then need to carry out noisy work outside of the notified hours, please speak to your neighbours and come to an agreement about when the work can be carried out.
If your neighbour has children or other special requirements please take these in to account when deciding on the times you want to work and discuss this with your neighbour.
Also invite your neighbours to knock on the door to let you know if the noise is causing them a problem (and be prepared to stop!).
If you have a concern or complaint specifically about dust, noise or vibration from work, undertaken by professional contractors on construction or building and demolition sites, please contact Environmental Health at environmentalhealth@wirral.gov.uk
Please also see our webpage on domestic noise nuisance