Police powers - legal building noise
Discussion
Had a policeman come on a site this afternoon and request I stop using a hammer drill to chase a wall as next door has complained about the noise.
This is at 2pm in a residential house so lawfully acceptable building noise hours, in fact it'd be defined as unsociable/unlawful to do this outside business hours. Next door is apparantly a gp surgery.
Can the policeman request I stop something lawful and what could he do if I refuse? What if I stop as requested and start again 20 mins later?
PS if you're going to suggest negotiation/compromise I'd love that but as next door have already selected the nuclear option as their introduction I need to know how I stand legally and can complete the job.
Tx.
This is at 2pm in a residential house so lawfully acceptable building noise hours, in fact it'd be defined as unsociable/unlawful to do this outside business hours. Next door is apparantly a gp surgery.
Can the policeman request I stop something lawful and what could he do if I refuse? What if I stop as requested and start again 20 mins later?
PS if you're going to suggest negotiation/compromise I'd love that but as next door have already selected the nuclear option as their introduction I need to know how I stand legally and can complete the job.
Tx.
Legally you need to know the sound pressure your machine creates, and the amount of hand arm vibration. That's mainly for your safety.
It's unlikely the noise is above any guideline inside their building, but it's more about being a nice neighbour. Your call.
You can check sound levels on the HSE website, and your machine should have a rating on the spec plate.
This sounds like a civil matter, for the environmental health department. But if your neighbour is taking an interest, just make doubly sure you are compliant in all health and safety matters, just in case.
It's unlikely the noise is above any guideline inside their building, but it's more about being a nice neighbour. Your call.
You can check sound levels on the HSE website, and your machine should have a rating on the spec plate.
This sounds like a civil matter, for the environmental health department. But if your neighbour is taking an interest, just make doubly sure you are compliant in all health and safety matters, just in case.
On one hand you are operating in legal hours...
..on the other the neighbour is a GP where the noise will travel and must be hard for patients/doctors to focus if it is echoing in the structure.
Maybe approach the manager tomorrow and ask what time surgery runs and see if there is a compromise?
..on the other the neighbour is a GP where the noise will travel and must be hard for patients/doctors to focus if it is echoing in the structure.
Maybe approach the manager tomorrow and ask what time surgery runs and see if there is a compromise?
Vaud said:
On one hand you are operating in legal hours...
..on the other the neighbour is a GP where the noise will travel and must be hard for patients/doctors to focus if it is echoing in the structure.
Maybe approach the manager tomorrow and ask what time surgery runs and see if there is a compromise?
The receptionist should have come over and asked to stop if it was affecting patient care. Then you could have asked when an appropriate time would be...on the other the neighbour is a GP where the noise will travel and must be hard for patients/doctors to focus if it is echoing in the structure.
Maybe approach the manager tomorrow and ask what time surgery runs and see if there is a compromise?
Calling the police is ridiculous.
Tx for replies
I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
Teddy Lop said:
Tx for replies
I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
Pathetic that the police even bothered to show up but I suppose it's an easy one to deal with so saves doing something more appropriate with overstretched underfunded resources? I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
The local police force website has dozens if not hundreds or reasons of who or where you should call/be directed rather than themselves.
speedyguy said:
Teddy Lop said:
Tx for replies
I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
Pathetic that the police even bothered to show up but I suppose it's an easy one to deal with so saves doing something more appropriate with overstretched underfunded resources? I'm well aware the noise may be unpleasant and I'm very keen to move forwards limiting any inconvenience bit distress to all parties.
However other party have by calling police shown zero inclination in compromise or respect or even really adulting thus I want to understand what I can or cannot be forced by this party or the police to do.
The local police force website has dozens if not hundreds or reasons of who or where you should call/be directed rather than themselves.
chrisch77 said:
So did you even bother to contact your neighbour before you started the work to discuss it with them, and how it may inconvenience them, or just go straight to the freeman of the land position of ‘I know my rights’?
If the latter, I’m not surprised you have riled them.
Agree with this. If you are going to be making a lot of racket, regardless of your “rights”, give the neighbouring folk a heads up. Unreasonable behaviour = unreasonable reactionIf the latter, I’m not surprised you have riled them.
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