Yes, it’s me – The Noise Doctor. Welcome to the first NoiseNews Round-Up! I’ll be bringing you some of the latest and quirkiest noise-related news stories from around the world. In this premier edition, I’m looking at noisy giraffes, troublesome ponds, Rod Stewart and Heathrow airport. Let’s get started.
A Tall Tale Indeed!
A zoo’s neighbours claim a rumble in the jungle is making them ill.
About 165 people living near Paignton Zoo have signed a petition complaining about a low-frequency noise. The effects are alleged to include headaches, tremors, a feeling of irritation, sickness and frustration, disturbed sleep.
The noise has been described as anything from “a persistent low level hum to a “droning” or “drumming”. But it’s not the rumble of an elephant’s stomach or the roar of a lion that it troubling them.
Some now believe the problem may come from the heating system in the zoo’s Giraffe House, and he wants Torbay Council to allow an investigation.
However, a Torbay Council spokesperson said: “We have conducted multiple assessments in several locations…. including the Giraffe House, to try to identify where reported low frequency noise is coming from. Our officers have been unable to hear or detect any low frequency noise that would be an issue.”
Torbay Council has also considered the results of two independent surveys undertaken on behalf of the complainant but stands by its decision.
Stop Carping On
A couple who took their neighbour to court over claims his POND was too noisy have lost their fight to force him to turn it off.
Sarah and Simon Smith claimed the water feature at Soroush Ebrahimi’s property is an “intolerable nuisance” to her family as it is left on 24 hours a day.
During the two-year battle she called out council noise officers to measure the decibel level of the pond but they said it was fine. Mrs Smith then turned to the local magistrates court to order her neighbour to turn off his filtration system but it was thrown out after three hours when the court said her claim was ‘unnecessary’.
The couple now have 28 days to pay Mr Ebrahimi’s legal costs in full but the amount was not disclosed.
You can read the full story here
No Need to Stew Over 5-a-Side Pitch, Say Officials
Rod Stewart has been given the go-ahead to build a football pitch at his new £5m mansion, as long as he doesn’t have floodlights that would have allowed evening games and possible noise nuisance issues.
The singer submitted plans for an 3G artificial turf pitch at Durrington House in Harlow, Essex, despite being forced to give up playing the game through injury. Epping Forest District Council have now approved the five-a-side pitch on the site, with car parking for 20.
He had originally wanted to put up floodlights at the 164ft by 101ft pitch to allow matches to take place at night but officials rejected that proposal, saying the lights were not appropriate next to the historic Grade II listed property. They also ruled that evening matches could be a noise nuisance for Stewart’s neighbours.
Officers said: There would inevitably be some level of noise emanating from the use of the pitch especially if two teams were to play with family and friends spectating. However, without the floodlighting it wouldn’t be able to be used late into the evening for much of the year and any noise nuisance can be dealt with under separate environmental health legislation.”
The singer bought the ten-bedroom 18th-century house on the edge of Epping Forest for £4.65m in 2013 but is only now set to move in. However, the 71-year-old still enjoys a kick-about with his youngest sons aged ten and four.
Heathrow Fly in to Help Schools with Noise Pollution
More than 20 primary schools in west London will get earthquake shelters in their playgrounds to protect children from noise from Heathrow airport.
At least seven primary schools under the flight path will receive funding for new adobe shelters this year. Within the next four years they will be built in the playgrounds of a total of 21 schools.
The igloo-like domes will enable children to play at break times and take part in outdoor education lessons with less disruption from passing aircraft. The domes cost £85,000 each and accommodate up to 30 pupils.
Read more about the plans here
Do You Have Some NoiseNews?
That’s it for this first NoiseNews Round-Up. Have you got a noise story to share? Contact us!
