How early/late can groundworks take place?

Chewbumpkin

I live in a small close of 7 houses, surrounded by a mobile home site. The owner of the site is revamping it, laying new mains etc.

I have no problems with this as it is to improve the site, but how early are they allowed to start using heavy equipment etc., and how long are they allowed to work before stopping for the night? Today they started just after 7:00 am, and the other evening were still out there after dark. And with the evenings getting lighter, how long will they continue to work each day?

As I said, I have no problem with the works themselves during reasonable hours, but I certainly do not relish sitting out in the garden with my husband on a summer evening to the accompaniment of diggers. I have a small idea in the back of my mind that there are some time restrictions for groundworks. Does anyone know where I can find them?

latecomer

There are limitations on noise during certain hours but I think its something like 10pm (possibly 11pm) until 7am. Phone you local council and they should be able to advise you.

Have you asked how long its going to take? Maybe its going to just take a few weeks so it might not affect your summer evenings....

chateauneufdupape

If what they are doing is covered by planning permission, there are probably some constraints in there. These should be available via your local council. Nonetheless, I would speak to the local Environmental Health Officer at the council about your concerns unless you can speak to the contractor direct.

rjaton

Your local authority environmental health department have powers under section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to restrict noise from construction and other works (including groundworks of the type you describe). I work in London and we generally restrict noisy works to between 8am and 6pm Mon- Fri, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and no noisy works on Sundays. These times may vary between councils so check with your local EHO.

Chewbumpkin

Thanks everyone. I'll contact my local council this coming week. I think it will take a long time as it is a very large site (160+ mobile homes). Once I have the facts, I can contact him if they are working out of hours.

Thanks again.