A TOTAL of 370 complaints about noise have been made to Sedgemoor District Council in the past year.

Gripes about noise in the Bridgwater area include loud music, dogs barking, round the clock DIY and people shouting.

From those complaints the council served seven statutory noise abatement notices, which act as a warning that noise offenders face court action.

After these Sedgemoor prosecuted three people for causing noise nuisance to their neighbours and also seized speakers, hi-fi equipment, mixing decks and instruments belonging to these people.

May sees the start of Noise Action Week, with the council taking part in the national drive to cut the cost of noise and ease pressure on services frequently called on to resolve noise problems.

As a whole local authorities receive more complaints about noise every year than on any other subject.

The most recently published government research showed that the number of people bothered by neighbour noise rose by 17 per cent between 2002 and 2012 and one in five reported their sleep has been disturbed by noise.

As well as councils housing providers, mediation services and the police are also frequently involved in resolving noise disputes.

This means a huge amount of time and money is used up. Preventing noise problems is much cheaper than curing them is the message.

Noise is also a public health risk and therefore a Government target to address due to the negative impact on health.

A spokesperson for Sedgemoor District Council said: “Sedgemoor District Council takes noises complaints very seriously.

“Once we receive a complaint we will ask the complainant to complete diary sheets so we can build up a pattern and evidence file of the noise being experienced. We will then assess if the noise is likely to be a nuisance and if so we may install noise monitoring equipment “During this time we also contact the alleged perpetrator so they are aware their behaviour is causing a disturbance.

“If monitoring equipment readings show that a statutory nuisance is being caused the council will serve a notice.”

To make a complaint about noise, contact Sedgemoor District Council’s Environmental Health Service with your name, address, and the details of the noise affecting you and the address of the property or business causing you concern.

Telephone 0845 408 2540, 01278 435435 or email customer.services@sedgemoor.gov.uk.