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Gloucestershire substation noise nuisance
Western Power electrical substation, Gloucestershire
Richard Buxton Solicitors were instructed in relation to a noise nuisance caused by an electrical substation near our client’s home in Gloucestershire. We secured various changes at the site to reduce the noise and the Council assisted our client in relocating.
We wrote to the site operator, Western Power, setting out their substation was causing a noise nuisance to our client’s home and requesting that they act immediately to reduce the noise. Western Power had in fact already determined there was a noise issue but had not taken any steps to resolve the problem They first proposed replacing the transformer, but then decided that this would not be possible due to access difficulties. We applied further pressure, including reporting the matter to Forest of Dean District Council’s Environmental Health Team, asking it to investigate the noise as a potential statutory nuisance. They declined to act, but Western Power eventually agreed to make various changes including installing certain equipment to reduce the noise and vibration from the transformer.
We had also contacted the Council’s Housing Department to investigate the option of our client relocating. In the end, notwithstanding the reductions in noise, this proved to be the best for her and she moved away.
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Commentary
This case, which ended amicably, illustrates three points. First, big organisations can be “woken up” by threat of legal action. Secondly, environmental health departments of councils are often reluctant to act in cases of noise nuisance: it is best to go direct to the perpetrator. Thirdly, the best solution is often simply to move away from a noise nuisance. The latter is easier for tenants, though owners can potentially get compensation.