Studley business fined £35k after causing noise nuisance

A company in Studley has been prosecuted by Stratford-on-Avon District Council for causing a noise nuisance.

Ricor Ltd of Arrow Works, based in Birmingham Road, Studley was taken to court by the District Council following residents' complaints, alleging that the noise from the presses at Arrow Works were impacting their lives.

The case was heard at Birmingham Magistrates Court at the end of March and following a guilty plea, Ricor Ltd was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay the Council's costs of £15,000 for breaching a noise abatement notice. The District Judge Qureshi also directed the company to pay £5,000 compensation to two affected residents, plus a victim surcharge of £190.

Complaints were originally received in 2021 from residents of Redditch Road in Studley alleging that the noise from the presses at Arrow Works were impacting their sleep and the reasonable enjoyment of their properties.

Following a detailed investigation which included taking noise measurements within the residents' bedrooms the District Council's Environmental Health team found that the noise levels were a statutory nuisance and officers served a noise abatement notice on Ricor Ltd on 21 October 2021.

The notice required Ricor Ltd to stop the noise nuisance and prevent its recurrence within 21 days. However, despite the Environmental Health team working with the company, noise nuisance continued, and further evidence was gathered by officers of the low, repetitive thumping press noise being audible within residents' properties at all times of the day and night.

One resident stated that on one occasion the press was, "so loud that the windows were physically vibrating" and that they frequently had to turn up the TV to hear it and had resorted to sleeping downstairs where it was quieter. This resulted in the District Council beginning legal proceedings under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act for failing to comply with the notice on various dates between 12 November 2021 and 20 October 2022.

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Environmental and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio says: "Prosecution is always a last resort in cases such as this, as no-one wants to see a local business hit with a financial penalty. However, officers have a duty to investigate any reports that claim the operation of a business is impacting negatively on a neighbour's quality of life. 

"In this instance, the noise nuisance was proven, and the business served with a notice giving them time to put things right. Unfortunately, they failed to act in line with the terms of the abatement notice and officers had no option but to take further action through the court. 

"This was good work by the Environmental Health team and proof that the District Council will always use its regulatory powers to support and protect residents who are negatively impacted by the actions of others."