Westbury DJ issued fine for breach of noise abatement notices

A Westbury man pleaded guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court, on 1 February, to 9 breaches of a noise abatement notice, and was issued with a fine of £750 with £400 costs.

Ben Casey of Meadow Close, Westbury had previously been served with the Noise Abatement Notices by Wiltshire Council Public Protection Officers after subjecting neighbours to long periods of music at excessive noise levels, including during lockdown periods. Notices allow the restriction or prohibition of actions giving rise to noise that causes a statutory nuisance.

Before issuing the notices, Officers had worked with Mr Casey to agree periods where he was able to practice his DJ skills at an agreed noise level for an appropriate length of time, however he breached this on a number of occasions leading to the court date being deemed necessary.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: We receive around 3,000 noise complaints each year, ranging from loud music and noisy parties to DIY or construction site noise.

Our officers had visited and tried to work with Mr Casey, giving him advice to enable him to practice without adversely impacting on his neighbours, but he continually breached the agreements that had been put in place. Living next door to someone who clearly has no qualms about the amount of noise they make can really cause distress and frustration.

Prosecution is always used as a last resort but was deemed necessary in this case to prevent any further breaches.

I would like to thank the officers involved for their work in this case.

Noise Abatement Notices are served under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Further information on Statutory Noise Nuisance and how to report a complaint can be found: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1830/Noise-nuisance