Noise nuisance is investigated by officers from our Environmental Health Service.
Complaints can be made by either:
- calling us
- emailing us
- writing to us
We do not operate an out of hours service.
Our officers will investigate using a number of techniques including, where appropriate, the use of Directed Surveillance authorised under the Control of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act, 2000.
In some circumstances arrangements will be made to have officers attend out of normal working hours, each case is considered on its merits. Officers will advise you on the action to be taken and update them throughout their investigation.
Construction noise
Members of the public can contact us for information on acceptable times and levels of noise and to make complaints regarding noise arising from construction activities. We can deal with unacceptable construction noise under Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
Find out more about construction noise.
Annoying creatures
Annoying creatures might be dogs barking, or cockerels crowing, for prolonged periods of time, or at unsociable hours.
Section 49, Sub Section (2), of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, deals with complaints about annoying creatures. A person, who has reasonable cause for annoyance, can make an application, to the local Justice of the Peace Court, for an Order to be made requiring the owner of the creature to take action to prevent the annoyance from continuing.
Making a complaint about annoying creatures
Where a complaint is made to Environmental Health about creatures which give reasonable cause for alarm, or annoyance, we will direct you to make an application to the Court. This application is made by the person, or persons, who are being subjected to the annoyance.
If you decide to go ahead with an application, you may wish to apply through your solicitor, but this is not a requirement of the Court. Forms incorrectly completed will be returned to you without guidance from the Justice of the Peace Court, they must remain impartial.
Completed forms for wards 1 to 20 should be sent to:
Scottish Courts Service
Kilmarnock Justice of the Peace Court
The Sheriff Court
St. Marnock Street
Kilmarnock KA1 1ED
Telephone: 01563 550024
Email: kilmarnock@scotcourts.gov.uk
Completed forms for wards 21 to 30 should be sent to:
Scottish Courts Service
Ayr Justice of the Peace Court
Sheriff Court House
Wellington Square
Ayr
KA7 1EE
Telephone: 01292 292000
Email: ayr@scotcourts.gov
What happens next
Subject to the Court considering that there appeared to be reasonable cause for annoyance, a date would be set for a Hearing. Both the complainant and the owner of the creature would be required to attend the Hearing to state their cases.
If the Court agrees that the complaint is justified, they will issue an Order specifying what action the owner of the animal must take. The complainant will be advised of the terms of the Order.
Non-compliance
If the terms of the Order are not complied with, subsequent complaints about this failure should be made to the Police.
If the Police can substantiate that the conditions in the Order are not being complied with, they can make a report to the Procurator Fiscal with a view to the Court taking action against the owner of the creature for failure to comply with the Order.