Record high for noise pollution

According to recent Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland 2008/9, a staggering 124 residents express their grievance over noise pollution in Ballymoney, compared to 53 Moyle, - and the figure is rising.

The borough also recorded a 4.2% increase in complaints over the past 12 months as well as being one of the highest councils in Northern Ireland to receive calls per 1000 people (5).

The news was revealed during a recent Health and Environmental Services Committee meeting.

The report explained: “In total 11,099 complaints were made to councils about noise in 2008/2009 compared to 11,705 in 2007/2008. This is a 5% decrease from 2007/2008.

“This reduction may indicate fewer instances of excessive noise or that the population is becoming more tolerant of noise and making fewer complaints. However, the reduction may be a direct result of the poor summer of 2008, causing fewer people to be in their gardens or have their windows open.

“Within the report, a number of Councils including Ballymoney recorded an increase in number of complaints compared to the previous year ranging from 21.4% (Banbridge) to 0.7% (Castlereagh). Ballymoney recorded an increase of 4.2%. Antrim recorded the largest reduction in complaints of 33.8%.

“The councils receiving the greatest number of noise complaints per 1000 of the population were Belfast (20 complaints per 1000 people), Coleraine (8), Down (5), Ballymoney (5) and Strabane (5).”

The latest statistics from the Department of the Environmental EHS also highlighted that the main complaints were from animal noise (80 in Ballymoney and 27 in Moyle) and music/television parties (18 in Ballymoney and 13 in Moyle).

The report added: “In general terms the decrease in overall noise complaints may be attributed to the poor summer weather, however, the continuing rise in the number of complaints in Ballymoney demonstrates that noise is a problem that affects the quality of life of many people with increasing frequency.

“Our environment is undoubtedly becoming noisier and the problem of noise pollution and a desire to seek help in redressing its impact is certain to continue. Many neighbour noise problems in particular are a result of incompatible lifestyles in our modern world and a lack of consideration for the rights of others.

“The Department of Environment considers that better education is one way of tackling the problem, and is committed to increasing its efforts to highlight the seriousness of the issue and to better inform the public of how to gain help with noise problems.”