Noise
Air and Environmental Quality Unit is responsible for the issue of legislation and policy on noise control. Noise complaints and the enforcement of noise control legislation is a matter for environmental health departments of district councils.
Background
The EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to assessment and management of environmental noise, commonly referred to as the Environmental Noise Directive (END), was published in July 2002. The aim of the END is to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise. It focuses on the impact of such noise on individuals, complementing existing EU legislation, which sets standards for noise emissions from specific sources.
The three main actions that the END requires of Member States are to:
- determine the noise exposure of the population through noise mapping;
- make information on environmental noise and its effects available to the public;
- establish Action Plans based on the mapping results.
Detail
The purpose of an Action Plan is to describe how designated Competent Authorities under the Environmental Noise Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, propose to deliver their obligations under the Environmental Noise Directive.
The purpose of the Competent Authority Noise Action Plan guidance is to provide assistance in setting out the proposed mechanisms and arrangements for the development of Action Plans during the action planning process.
The consultation was undertaken during the period 1st December 2008 – 26th January 2009 and specifically requested views on the Northern Ireland Competent Authority Environmental Noise Action Plans and the Draft Action Plan Guidance.
A synopsis of the comments received along with the Departments responses can be viewed below.
Summary of Responses (60KB) 
Consultation on the Draft Northern Ireland Environmental Noise Directive Action Plan
The Noise Action Plans for Roads, Railways, Industry and Belfast International Airport were approved and adopted by the Minister on 5 March 2010. These Action Plans are available below.
Environmental Noise Directive - Roads Noise Action Plan (5.43MB)
Environmental Noise Directive - Railways Noise Action Plan (2.13MB)
Environmental Noise Directive - Industry Noise Action Plan (2.69MB)
Environmental Noise Directive - Belfast International Airport Noise Action Plan (3.53MB)
The Noise Action Plan for the City Airport was adopted by the Minister on 22 June 2010 and is available below
George Best Belfast City Airport Action Plan (PDF 685KB)
If you are affected by noise the following information will let you know what you can do:
If you want to know how you can create less noise and be a good neighbour check out the following:
Barking dogs are one of the most complained about noise sources in Northern Ireland. If you are a dog owner and wish to find out to stop your pet annoying your neighbours consult the following information leaflet:
Want to know more about noise complaints in Northern Ireland?
The Noise Act
The Noise Act 1996 (the Act”) gives local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland and district councils in Northern Ireland specific powers to deal with noise at night from domestic premises. The Act is not automatically applicable. Local authorities and district councils can choose to adopt the Act in order to give them the additional powers to control noise. To date Belfast City Council is the only council in Northern Ireland to have adopted the Act.
Under the Act the Department of the Environment has issued written Directions setting out the maximum level of noise (referred as the permitted level”) which may be emitted during night hours (11pm to 7am) from any dwelling. The most recent set of Directions is included below.
Permitted Level of Noise (Northern Ireland) Directions 2010 (536KB)
The Direction sets out that the permitted level of noise from dwellings during night hours should be 31 dB where the underlying noise level does not exceed 21 dB, and where the underlying noise level exceeds 21 dB, the permitted level should be 10 dB in excess of the underlying level. These align with the permitted levels used in Scotland. The Direction applies from 8 July 2010.
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