Prevention of nuisance for event organisers

There are four specific issues that cause public nuisance and need to be managed:

• noise
• light nuisance
• odour
• litter and waste

Noise nuisance

Amplified music and other noise associated with events can cause significant problems to neighbouring residents and cause them to make complaints to Environmental Health Protection or contact the police.

• Noise Guidance for Outdoor Concerts and Events (PDF, 290KB)

Simple noise checklist

1. Make one person responsible for dealing with all noise issues. Consider who are you likely to disturb?
2. Let neighbours know about the nature, timing and duration of your event and tell them what to expect by a letter drop. Some events may not be well tolerated if they run late or loud so make every effort to talk your neighbours.
3. Provide a contact telephone number to receive information/complaints from residents.
4. Be considerate about how loudly music is played, particularly late at night.
5. Keep windows and doors closed if the noise source is inside a building.
6. Bass level noise is the most intrusive: lowering the volume of the bass will help to reduce how far it carries.
7. Encourage all guests leaving late to leave as quietly as possible.
8. Gatecrashers can spoil an event and cause rowdiness, so try to control tickets and entrance to your event.
9. Consider the timing of your event?

Important note: If a statutory noise nuisance is caused the local authority is obliged to serve an abatement notice on the organiser or person causing the nuisance. Failure to comply with the abatement notice could result in the seizure of the amplification equipment, the event stopped and possible prosecution. Failure to manage the event can also result in restrictions being placed on any future events.

Light nuisance

The intrusion of over bright or poorly directed lights onto neighbouring properties, such as inconsiderately directed security lights which shine in to bedroom windows, can cause a statutory nuisance. If you are having any lighting at your event then contact the Environmental Health Protection Team to discuss your proposals and they will advise you accordingly.

For further guidance on prevention of nuisance contact our Environmental Health Protection Team. More information is also available on the Environmental Health section of this website.

Fireworks

Before your firework display takes place, please be aware that the Firework Regulations 2004 now make it an offence for fireworks to be released after 11pm with the exceptions of bonfire extension is till 1am. Breach of these curfews could result in you receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Should you have any questions please contact your local police who are the enforcing authority.

Report a noise complaint

If you are affected by noise pollution, you can make a noise complaint to environmental health.

Contact us

environmentalprotection@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Page last reviewed: 25 July 2024