It's oh so quiet - Newry, Mourne and Down has lowest number of noise complaints per person

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.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council reported the fewest complaints per person (2.14 per 1,000 persons), compared to Belfast City Council (16.54 complaints per 1,000 people), which recorded the greatest number of complaints per person.

Across the district there were 17 agricultural complaints, 11 of which were classified as being related to 'Industry Manufacturing & Workshops' while six were agricultural.

In the commercial and leisure sector 10 complaints related to entertainment premises, two were caused by security alarms and one by hot food bars/restaurants.

The greatest number of complaints came from domestic settings, where there were 313 complaints. Some 233 of those related to animal noise, while 65 were from music, televisions or parties. Three complaints were made about house alarms while 12 were classed as "other neighbour noise".

Meanwhile, there were 20 complaints about construction sites/demolition works/road works, two apiece relating to road vehicles and delivery vehicles and 10 complaints about vehicle alarms.

There was also one complaint about loudspeaksers, three about children playing and 10 in relation to antisocial behaviour

In total there were 391 noise complaints made across the borough. There were 5,705 in Belfast, while Newry Mourne and Down had the third lowest total of complaints with only Mid Ulster (385) and Fermanagh & Omagh (282) having fewer.

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.