22/05/2002

Barking dogs and music drive people mad

Noisy neighbours annoy over one in three people in the UK, a major survey has revealed.

The research published on Noise Action Day shows that in Northern Ireland barking dogs are the most common source of complaint for 79% of people, with music the second most common for 64%.

Commenting on the research by the Building Research Establishment, Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt said: “My message today on noise action day is very simple - don’t be a noisy neighbour. After all, eight out of ten people actually hear noise from neighbours and one in five people state that their home life is affected by it.

“This, therefore, is a matter which must be taken very seriously. I commend the work being done by the local authorities in NI and would encourage people to avail of their services.

“Further, it is encouraging to note that in an increasingly busy society, overall outdoor noise levels remained almost constant over the past decade. But we must not be complacent. There is still much to be done, especially with noisy dogs and music. Problems created by noise will not be solved simply by research or by Government - everyone has a part play. Let us all show consideration and not be a noisy neighbour.”

(AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 January 2005
Noise Awareness campaign launched
A new Noise Awareness Campaign which aims to inform noisy neighbours that ‘Too Loud is Not Allowed!’ has been launched by the DOE’s Environment and Heritage Service. Recently released figures estimate that one in four people in the UK suffer noise disturbance from neighbours.
15 August 2006
Number of noise complaints rise in NI
The Department of Environment (DOE) has today revealed that noise complaints in Northern Ireland have increased by 13% over the last year. The report provides information relating to the number and type of noise complaints received by all 26 district councils in Northern Ireland, from 2005 to 2006.
15 November 2024
New Pathway To Support Young People With Diabetes
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the launch of a new Regional Young Adults' Progression Pathway designed to support young people with Type 1 diabetes as they transition to adult services.
28 April 2010
Belfast Man 'Faces The Music' Over Noise
A man has been fined for failing to comply with a warning about playing loud music at his apartment.
23 May 2005
Action on noise is a great success say DoE
A DoE report has revealed that almost 80% of people in Northern Ireland regard noisy neighbours to be a serious issue. The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has published a report on its first ever Noise Awareness Campaign in February this year to mark Noise Action Week which began today.