How we deal with business and commercial noise

We have guidance about a range of business and commercial noise, including how to report it.

Construction site noise

Noise from demolition or construction operations is inevitable, but does not usually last for a long period. Our approach with this type of noise is to try to minimise the disturbance by restricting the hours of working and ensuring the quietest methods are used.

The hours that are normally permitted for operations which cause noise audible at the site boundary are:

  • Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
  • Saturday: 8am to 1pm

There can sometimes be exceptions to these hours when special circumstances demand that work is done at other times. For example, work on railway tracks or stations can only be done when there are no trains; if heavy plant needs to be brought on site the police sometimes insist on it being done on a Sunday to reduce interference with traffic. In these cases, we encourage contractors to notify local residents in advance.

See our Code of Practice regarding demolition and construction sites.

Entertainment noise

Many pubs, restaurants and clubs play music for their customers, and will have licence conditions to prevent problems from noise and public nuisance. We will deal with noise problems from these premises either as a noise nuisance or as a breach of licence conditions.

Check permitted times on the alcohol and entertainment licence register.

Noise from commercial premises

Noise from ventilation or refrigeration plant in commercial premises often causes a problem, particularly at night when other noise sources are much quieter. If it becomes necessary to serve a notice we have to allow time for any modifications to the plant to be made, and so there is not an instant solution.

We can investigate complaints about noise from commercial premises that is seriously affecting your right to enjoy your home.

London Heliport

Aviation noise, including that relating to helicopters, is not currently a statutory nuisance in the UK. It is not covered by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Noise Act 1996. This means that we do not have the legal power to take action on matters of aircraft noise and cannot handle any complaints relating to this.

If your complaint relates to helicopters using the London Heliport in Battersea, please complete the noise complaints form on the heliport's website.

Report business and commercial nuisance

If you wish to report business and commercial nuisance you can:

Please do not report a nuisance using this telephone number or online form if you live on a council housing estate, as there is separate guidance for this.

We will investigate all complaints no matter when they are received or the time of day they relate to and officers will be on duty during the following times:

  • Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

With the additional evening and weekend operating hours of:

  • Thursday: 7pm to 2am
  • Friday: 8pm to 3am
  • Saturday: 1pm to 3am
  • Sunday: 9am to 4pm and 7pm to 2am

Reports made outside of these hours will be logged and responded to when officers are available to do so.

Taking your own legal action

If we are unable to take action you can consider taking your own legal action. View guidance on how to take your own action.

Up to How we deal with noise

Updated: 02/01/2024