Environmental Protection

The Environmental Protection Team work alongside local people and businesses to help to control levels of pollution in the District. Issues can include noise, obtrusive lighting, bonfires, contaminated land and air quality. We receive a great many enquiries about a wide range of subjects. In most cases we are able to assist directly but there are things which we cannot deal with, usually because it is the responsibility of another agency or the householder. Where we cannot help directly we will always try to give advice, and details of the appropriate organisation to talk to.

Matters which we can investigate or provide more information on include

Statutory nuisance caused by:

  • Noise and vibration
  • Odours, smoke, dust or other emissions
  • Light pollution

Nuisance which may be prejudicial to health including:

  • Accumulations of waste or noxious deposits
  • Filthy and verminous premises
  • Animals in premises

Other Issues including

  • Air quality and monitoring
  • Environmental effects of land use and planning applications
  • Contaminated land investigations
  • Pest control and prevention of damage by pests.
  • Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)
  • Licensing act consultations (for example as a ‘responsible authority’ for the prevention of public nuisance)

In appropriate cases, the investigating officer may advise the best way of resolving the situation may be to approach the person responsible for the alleged nuisance and see if the matter can be resolved informally on a face-to-face basis. The investigating officer will give advice how best to do this.

Alternatively, using a mediator may provide a solution and we may refer the parties to a mediation service.

Page last updated on 25 November 2011