I've lived in my house seven and a half years. It's a close knit neighbourhood - in that, we have small gardens and live cheek-by-jowl. I've been fortunate, in that time, that I can count the loud parties of neighbours on fingers of one hand. There has been some building noise on weekdays - when I'm generally not here. Car alarm nuisances every few months at the nearby car show-room. Phil's bonfires, leaving black flecks on the washing. The people in the house to the back and left had a row one hot summer night, when their, and my, bedroom windows were open.
On a sunny Sunday a few weeks back I realised that I had new neighbours at the back and to the right. Spanish or Latin-American. I know they're Spanish-speaking because their shouted conversations drift thunder into my house. Last night it was Salsa. This afternoon the TV is in the back garden. They're shouting and applauding whatever's on.
And the smell of paraffin and charred meat is filling up my house.
In the grand scheme, it's nothing. Some people put up with hell from their neighbours.
There again, I have the advantage over the neighbours of knowing about Lambeth's Noise and Pollution Patrol.
We investigate complaints about:* loud music, TV or radio
* persistent shouting, banging or other domestic noise
* parties or other entertainment
* building and DIY work at unreasonable times of the day
* constant dog barking
* car and burglar alarmsWe take noise nuisance seriously It's our policy to prosecute people who do not co-operate in reducing noise when asked. People who are taken to court for committing serious noise nuisance may get a criminal record be fined up to £5,000
The service also investigates complaints about other forms of pollution such as smoke from bonfires, smells & fumes from car paint spraying.
