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main content Construction noise - Advice for contractors and builders

What is the Council's attitude towards noise from construction sites?

We recognise that developing new buildings and maintaining or altering existing ones will lead to some level of environmental disturbance.  It is often unavoidable when carrying out these works.  However, we also have a duty to ensure residents and businesses are protected as far as possible from the disturbance these works cause.  If necessary, we can take legal action to ensure this happens.

What are my duties as a contractor/developer?

As well as complying with the specific working times detailed below, we expect contractors to take all reasonable precautions and employ the best available working practices to control the amount of disturbance caused.  Some basic requirements are given below:

• Burning of materials or waste is not permitted on site.
• Noisy plant and equipment must be sited as far as possible from noise-sensitive buildings. Barriers (e.g. site huts, buildings, fences) or purpose-built acoustic screens should be used to reduce the noise reaching sensitive buildings where practicable.
• Avoid the use of percussive and impact tools wherever possible.
• Vehicles and mechanical plant should be fitted with effective exhaust silencers and maintained in good and efficient working order.
• Machines in intermittent use should be shut down or throttled down to a minimum when not in use.
• Consider the sensitivity of the area when choosing the piling method. Sheet piling should, where practicable be carried out using a hydraulic or vibratory method.
• Damp down areas where necessary to minimise dust generation.
  

What hours can the site operate?

Where residential dwellings are likely to be affected by noise, the hours of noisy works must be restricted to:-

Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm

Saturday: 8am to 1pm

Sunday and bank holidays: no noisy activities on site

Instructions should be given to ensure that vehicles and plant arriving at and leaving the site comply with the stated hours of work.

Who do I have to tell about the works?

Before any works start, you must inform the occupiers of all properties which may be affected by noise, dust or vibration, of the nature of the works, proposed hours of work and their expected duration.  A ‘round robin’ letter is the suggested method.

You must also place a written notice in a conspicuous position at the site entrance informing local residents of the agreed hours of work.

On both the notice and letter you should include the name and telephone number of a main contact within the contractors organisation who is able to give further information and deal with any complaints or emergencies that may arise at anytime.

What if I need to work outside the normal hours?

In certain circumstances the restriction on hours of work given above cannot be adhered to or there may be advantages to working at different times; for example if in an emergency occurs or to minimise business interruption at commercial premises.

In these circumstances prior agreement for the works should be sought from the London Borough of Bromley, preferably at least three days before the relevant works start.  You should contact Environmental Health & Trading Standards, preferably in writing providing the following details:

• a precise specification of the works you propose to undertake;
• how long the works will continue (dates and hours per day/night);
• why the activities are being performed outside the normal time limits; and
• the mitigation measures you have introduced to prevent undue disturbance.

Where it is necessary or desirable to deviate from this code of practice the contractor should be able to demonstrate that all reasonable steps have been taken to minimise disturbance from the works.  In addition to all the usual precautions previously described, you must consider:

• screening to reduce noise levels;
• where appropriate, offering temporary accommodation to residents likely to experience severe and prolonged disturbance;
• publicised “rest periods” during which noise operations are stopped.

Protecting the commercial interests of a premise, by working through the night for example, is not sufficient justification.  In such cases consent would be granted on the basis that either due to the nature of the environment or the proposed mitigation package it is practical to carry out works in such a way so as not to cause any undue disturbance to nearby residents.

Provided you have been able to justify your case to the local authority then works will be allowed to proceed in accordance with the agreed conditions.

What will happen if I ignore these criteria?

If noisy works are undertaken outside of the permitted hours without prior agreement, or are not performed using the best practicable means to minimise environmental disturbance the Council may serve a notice under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to prohibit or control the works in accordance with appropriate criteria.  Breaching this notice can result in the issuing of a substantial fine.