The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires the Council to take all reasonable steps to investigate a nuisance complaint.

What is nuisance?
Nuisance covers a number of different problems, including:

• Odours from Commercial Premises
• Bonfires (download attached leaflet)
• Noise, including music, parties, barking dogs, shouting, burglar alarms, etc.

How do I report a nuisance?
You can report a nuisance by calling 01621 854477, or online using our secure Report a Nuisance e-form.

Alternatively, you can write to us:

Environment Services
Maldon District Council
Princes Road                                                                   Maldon
Essex
CM9 5DL

What happens next?
When we have received your complaint a member of the Environmental team will:

• Contact you within five working days, acknowledging details of your complaint.
• Tell you the name of the person dealing with the complaint.
• Send you a record sheet, which you will be asked to complete and return to assist us in our investigations.
• Write to your neighbour advising him/her that we have received a complaint and suggest ways of reducing the nuisance.
• Once the investigation is completed, we will advise you of what action we are able to take.
• If it is not possible to meet the above response times, we will keep you informed.
• If the Council is satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists it must issue an Abatement Notice, requiring the neighbour to stop causing the nuisance. If the person, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with the Notice, he or she is guilty of an offence and can be prosecuted by the Council. We can also obtain a warrant from the Magistrates Courts to seize noise making equipment such as hi-fis and televisions.

Other causes of nuisances:

High Hedges

Abandoned Vehicles

Anti Social Behaviour

Mini-Motorbikes

The Environment Services Enforcement Policy can be viewed by clicking here.