Noise nuisance laws
Fireworks could be considered a statutory nuisance under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and it may be possible to serve an abatement notice. However, the following matters need to be taken into account:
- A “nuisance in law” needs to be ongoing, and a fireworks event, held maybe once a year, would not be considered to be causing a nuisance.
- It is only where there are repeated incidents of fireworks being let off at the same premises that we would consider serving an abatement notice under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
- Fireworks are often used to celebrate a significant cultural or religious event, and such an event would be considered by a Court in making any decision.
- It is difficult to prove without reasonable doubt that an event or person is solely causing the noise problem when there may be a number of similar events in the area.
- The London Borough of Hounslow covers a large geographical area, with thousands of buildings and gardens, and it is often difficult to identify the premises where the fireworks are being let off. It may also be difficult to identify the person responsible for letting off the fireworks, as it may not necessarily be the owner.
- Fireworks events may not last long enough to allow officers from the Pollution Control Team to identify from where they are coming.
Contact us
If you require further information on noise nuisance and fireworks, please contact the Pollution Control Team on 020 8583 5555 or email pollution@hounslow.gov.uk.
The team provides an out-of-hours service on Friday and Saturday nights between 10pm - 4am in respect of noise nuisance and can be contacted on 020 8583 2222.
