Noise Prevention and being a Good Neighbour
How to enjoy the Event and keep the peace with the neighbours.
Effects on the Local Community
Amplified music and other noise associated with Events can cause significant problems to neighbours and produce complaints to either the Environmental Health Department, the Parish Centeniers, or more especially the States Police at the time of the Event which ties up their valuable resources.
Fireworks Displays
Fireworks displays can cause considerable nuisance, distressed danger to those who have not been advised of, or considered in, the planning of an Event. Displays should finish as early as possible and in most locations the use of ‘mortar shells’ and similar high noise fireworks is not generally considered appropriate. Insufficient expectation by the community regarding this can result in the States Police receiving well intentioned reports of incidents of explosion to which they must commit resources.
You should also bear in mind the proximity of the Airport to the Event site and provide the Air Traffic Control (Civil Aviation Authority) with a minimum of 28 days notice of fireworks or similar displays. They will advise on the related legislation based practices that must be followed to ensure public safety. If you are employing a professional to provide your fireworks display this should be considered as part of their risk assessment produced in relation to their activity. Make sure you have sight of their method statement for the display at the Event.
The Environmental Health Department and also the Police may seek assurances from you regarding what steps have been taken to minimise the impact your Event may have on the local environment. This is likely to be a key feature in any decision by the Bailiff to issue a permit for your Event.
Neighbourhood Noise Courtesy Checklist
Things to do:
• Make one person responsible for dealing with all noise issues. Agree an action plan to minimise the effect of noise from the Event that the person will implement. Discuss this plan with the relevant regulatory authorities well in advance of the Event.
Who are you likely to disturb?
• Let neighbours know about your event and tell them what to expect.
• Be considerate about how loudly music is played, particularly late at night. If the event is held indoors keep windows and doors closed.
• Bass level noise is the most intrusive: lowering the volume of the bass will help to reduce how far it carries.
• Some neighbours could be working or sleeping, try to encourage guests leaving late to leave as quietly as possible.
• How many people are you expecting?
• Be reasonable and try to negotiate through any problems.
• Gate-crashers can spoil an Event and cause rowdiness, so try to control tickets and the entrance to your Event.
Timing your event?
• Events may not be as well tolerated or acceptable if they run late (such as after midnight) or are particularly noisy. Please make every effort to talk to your neighbours as it will reduce complaints.
• If a statutory noise nuisance is caused the Environmental Health Department is obliged to serve an Abatement Notice on the organiser or person causing the nuisance. Failure to comply with the Notice could result in prosecution and a heavy fine and/or the seizure of the amplification equipment.
If you have any concerns that you are not sure how to address in planning an Event which will cause noise, contact the Environmental Health Department as soon as possible.
