Noise Complaint Statistics for Northern Ireland 2019-2020

Date published: 28 July 2022

Noise complaints received by district councils between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020 have decreased by 9.6% according to a report published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

DARD report

Figures collated by district councils show that a total of 11,356 complaints were received in 2018/19, down 9.6% compared to the previous year’s figure (12,563).

Domestic noise, which includes loud music, televisions, parties and noisy animals accounted for 80.82% of all noise complaints, according to the latest statistics.

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

  • Domestic noise – 80.82%
  • Commerce and Leisure – 8.31%
  • Noise in the street – 3.37%
  • Industrial – 2.42%
  • Construction – 3.34%
  • Transport – 1.73%

Download the full report.

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 2019/20 are loud music, televisions and parties which accounted for 44% of domestic noise complaints. Animal noise represents 35% and other neighbourhood noise was the cause of a further 16% 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.

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