Noise Complaint Statistics 2022-23 report released

The ‘Noise Complaint Statistics 2022-23’ report has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

The purpose of this report is to inform central government, district councils, the general public and any other interested parties as to the number and nature of noise complaints received between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023 by district councils across Northern Ireland.

Download the report

Key points from report:

• Figures collated by district councils show that a total of 11,338 complaints were received in 2022/23, down 14.5% compared to the previous year’s figure (13,261). 10 out of the 11 councils reported a decrease in complaints on the previous year.
• The greatest number of complaints received were from Belfast City District Council (16.54 complaints per 1,000 people) and the fewest complaints received were from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (2.14 per 1,000 persons).
• There has been a 34.6% decrease in the number of notices served this year compared to last year (225 served this year and 344 served in 2021/22). There were 4 prosecutions for the 2022/23 year, compared to no prosecutions in 2021/22 and two in 2020/21.

The report’s findings show that the majority of complaints to councils concern the following types of noise:

• Domestic noise – 77.08%
• Commerce and Leisure – 10.95%
• Noise in the street – 4.69%
• Construction – 3.22%
• Industrial – 2.37%
• Transport – 1.68%

Notes to editors: 

1. All queries regarding the statistics should be referred to the relevant district council.
2. DAERA collates the figures on the numbers of complaints which have been provided to it by the district councils.  Thus, the Department is not in a position to comment on trends or specific findings. 
3. The domestic noise sources most complained about in 2022/23 is animal noise which accounted for 43.09% of domestic noise complaints. Music, televisions and parties represents 37.06% and other neighbour noise was the cause of a further 14.56% of domestic noise complaints.
4. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook.
5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page