The Jennyfields area of Harrogate had the most noisy neighbour complaints across the Harrogate district last year, figures reveal.
Calling the council might be the last resort when a noise is driving you to distraction, but a freedom of information request shows residents in the district made more than 500 complaints during 2021.
Nine of the complaints were in the Saltergate council ward, higher than any other area.
The three most common objections across the district were about neighbours making a racket, barking dogs, and noise from construction sites.
The early months of last year were spent in lockdown and 84 complaints were made about annoying noises from next door such as babies crying, DIY or loud dance music.
Yapping dogs
An explosion in dog ownership since the pandemic has also tested the patience of Harrogate district residents, with 104 complaints made about yapping dogs.
Those complaints were spread evenly across the area, with reports in almost every corner of the district, including Starbeck, Knaresborough and Ripon.
Read more:
- Bilton community centre to offer free meals as cost of living hits hard
- Plan to convert Harrogate office block into flats
Construction misery
With new housing developments going up across the district at a ferocious pace, it’s no surprise that noise from building machinery has been getting on people’s nerves.
There were 79 complaints about noise from construction sites, including three in the Granby area.
Last year, the Stray Ferret reported how a piledriver at a housing development on Granby Farm was ruining people’s day.
Other complaints included a summer fireworks display in Grantley and a bird scarer in Langthorpe.
Harrogate Borough Council has powers to take action against nuisance noise but a spokesperson recommends a more informal approach before the authority gets involved.
He said:
“We encourage people to try to resolve the matter in an appropriate informal manner before we get involved, as experience shows that, if done well, it will often lead to better and more permanent solutions.
“If this does not work, the environmental protection team can investigate your complaint.”
