Brent Council announce a summer clampdown on noisy parties and unlicensed music events - but weekends only

 From Brent Council

Noisy residents are the target this summer in a clamp down on noise disturbances.

Party Patrol teams will inspect the borough and clamp down on excessively noisy parties and unlicensed music events - issuing warnings or even confiscating speakers and music equipment if a party is creating an unreasonable disturbance.

Warmer days and longer evenings usually prompt an increase in noise complaints. To nip the nuisance behaviour in the bud, Party Patrols will be in operation between 6pm and 2am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

They will check events to see that noise is kept to a reasonable level, use noise monitoring equipment, and make sure that any businesses have the correct licence if they choose to host a party.

Where appropriate, officers will engage with private landlords and housing associations and, if necessary, demand tenancy management interventions.

Cllr Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, Brent Council said: 

Persistent and excessive noise can be a nightmare for many neighbours. We want to strike the right balance in allowing people to enjoy themselves and not letting that fun disturb other people. 

 That's why we are taking a hard line against those who lack consideration and cause misery for others.

Avoid a visit from the Party Patrol with these tips from our Noise Nuisance team:

·         Tell your neighbours in advance of your plans - or better still, invite them.

·         Keep noise to a reasonable level at all times. Many people wrongly believe you can play loud music before 11pm. The law actually requires neighbourly and considerate behaviour at all times. It is a good idea to turn music right down after 11pm and to close windows and doors.

·         It is difficult to control music noise when you are outside in the open, so avoid speakers in the garden.

·         Ask guests to leave quietly after the party - no shouting, revving of car engines, or sounding of car horns.

·         Businesses looking to host a party must seek permission from their local authority if they are not already licensed for activities like music and the consumption of alcohol. If you're unsure whether you need a licence, please contact the team at business.licence@brent.gov.uk

To report noise nuisance or an unlicensed music event, download the Noise App at www.thenoiseapp.com or go to our website.

Wembley ASDA served with Noise Abatement Notice after waking residents at 6am

Since 6am this morning, an hour of this #noisepollution, still ongoing.@AsdaServiceTeam @Brent_Council @noise_abatement @NeighbourNoise @cutnoise @NFHiB @noiselimits @WembleyMatters pic.twitter.com/H5ivvptbGg

 January 9, 2018

Video filmed before dawn this morning

Angry residents contacted Wembley Matters this morning after they were woken at 6am by works on Wembley Asda's car park. The noise, accompanied by shouting, could be heard through double glazing. 

There have been long term problems with noise from Asda disturbing neighbours including the company's home delivery service, Click and Collect and sea gulls on the store roof.  The issue has been taken up through Brent Council, petitions presented, letters written but to no avail.

Cllr Michael Pavey (Labour, Barnhill) told Wembley Matters:

Asda have treated residents with complete disdain. Not only have they failed to reduce the noise they generate at antisocial times - they have refused to even acknowledge the problem. 

They have ignored correspondence, failed to attend meetings organised by Council Officers and have stated that they will only meet with councillors if residents are not invited. 

It is an astonishing display of arrogance by a company which is completely dependent upon the goodwill of its shoppers.

 As a result of this morning's complaints Brent Council have served a Noise Abatement Notice on Asda..

Martin Wood, Emvironmental Health Office wrote to residents this evening with the news:

Further to the noise incident this morning, I have spoken to Asda’s store manager, deputy manager, and to the company’s Compliance Incident Manager.

I have advised that Brent Council will be serving Asda Group Ltd with a Noise Abatement Notice on the basis that we believe there is a likelihood of a statutory noise nuisance arising from non-emergency maintenance works taking place at noise sensitive times.

The notice will be posted to Asda’s head office tomorrow. The notice prohibits the occurrence of a noise nuisance from non-emergency maintenance works and requires Asda to: Cease or cause to cease all non-emergency external store and car park maintenance works likely to constitute a nuisance to the occupiers of residential properties in close proximity to the store between, 9pm and 8am (Monday to Saturday) and 5pm and 10am (Sundays).

Wembley Asda permitted to extend Click & Collect hours despite objections from neighbours

Despite objections from neighbours Brent Council has granted planning permission to Wembley ASDA to extend the opening hours of its Click and Collect Bay by two hours daily. It can now operate until 10pm.

Five residents of 115 Chalkhill Road objected. This is what two of them said:

•  Objection: To whom it may concern, I am a resident of the block that stands directly behind the Asda home delivery unit. Since this facility has been opened a couple of weeks ago I have been constantly disturbed by the noise made by Asda home delivery workers and their vans. It's 10:57 pm now and they still pack and unpack their vans and the noise is not bearable. I must also admit that they start very early in the morning and the noise has been disturbing the whole of my family including my child, we all feel that our health has been affected by ongoing problems with noise caused by asda. I have all the emails that have been sent to yourselves, as well as emails that we as residents have received from the council workers therefore please do check your own records regarding Asda noise made by all the residents of the east side of the 115 Chalkhill road block. I have also kept audio/video records that can be used as evidence that asda do not respect the neighbourhood. I do hope that application will not be granted. If they want extension of working hours till 22:00 and currently they have it till 20:00 and they still make noise at 23:00, what would happen if they "on paper" work till 22:00?! Please kindly consider my comments, I am sure that my neighbours would certainly agree with them. Yours sincerely, Disrespected professional who would like to just relax and forget about constant problems with Asda
•  
•  Objection: Living just above the newly built Click and Collect bay, I am concerned about noise and light pollution, you will see from your records that the residents of this block have already had to file numerous complaints regarding the noise from the machinery in Asda's loading area, the car wash when it was in this location and the construction of this Click and Collect. I cannot speak for the rest of the block, but my health has certainly suffered from the incessant noise from Asda's at all hours of the day and night. I strongly object to any further changes. Please do not grant them permission to cause more disruption to the residents behind them. Thank you.