Drop in noise complaints reported

Data from England and Wale reveals a significant decline in both noise complaints and enforcement activity. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has published 'The CIEH Noise Complaint Data Briefing 2026' covering statistics about residential noise complaints made to councils in England and Wales covering October 2024 to September 2025.  306,956 noise complaints were lodged during the reporting period, equating to around 840 complaints a day – a significant reduction compared to the previous data briefing in 2021, which spanned all three Covid‑19 lockdowns. Of the top 10 councils which received the most complaints, seven were London boroughs. 

The data also shows a decline in enforcement activity by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs). Only 2,282 abatement notices were issued in the reporting period, a drop of over 72% from the equivalent period 20 years ago. In addition to enforcement duties, EHPs assessed 27,346 planning applications relating to new development, including dwellings, to check that the appropriate noise management measures were in place to protect the health and quality of life of their residents.

Shifts in technology and lifestyle are also reflected in the findings. Councils recorded 103 complaints about Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)  the majority arising in the South East. There were also 17 complaints concerning wind turbines and 326 complaints linked to properties operating as holiday lets.

Stephen Turner, CIEH Vice President, said:

“Not everyone adversely affected by noise will necessarily complain, so it must not be assumed that the number of complaints exactly describes the extent of the problem.

“For effective noise management to continue and improve, it is essential that local authority environmental health teams are properly resourced and trained to fulfil not only their enforcement duties but also to provide expert assistance to their planning colleagues when new development proposals are being assessed.

“I am grateful to all the local authority officials who made time to submit their complaint information and help establish this extremely useful dataset.”