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Community Relations
Visitors studying an exhibition in the Chinese wing of the museum.

Noise

Excessive noise, particularly late at night, can cause great distress. Durham City has a noise curfew between 11pm and 7am restricting loud music, shouting, construction work, and other disruptive sounds.

We have extensive experience in addressing local concerns on anti-social noise and a framework that supports timely and sensitive resolution of these , originating from both resident and student population.

We expect all our students living out to respect their neighbours’ right to peaceful enjoyment of their home and to minimise noise disruption to their neighbours (who may include young children, shift workers, University staff, carers, fellow students and others who rely on a quiet environment).

Simple steps our students can take to minimise noise disruption include:

  • Keeping music and TV at a low volume, particularly in terraced houses with thin walls.
  • Being mindful of loud talking - conversations can easily be heard through walls, especially late at night.
  • Notifying neighbours, including those connected through gardens, when hosting a party, and planning to finish at a reasonable and specified time, stopping all noise by 11pm at the latest.
  • Reminding guests to leave quietly and respectfully avoiding loud goodbyes, slamming doors, and talking in front of houses.
  • Being mindful of transient noise, particularly between 11pm and 7am avoiding activities talking, shouting and laughing while walking through the city. Transient noise, although brief, can travel long distances, and may sound louder than expected depending on the surrounding area.
  • Complying with ‘Shhh... 11pm-7am’ signage, which highlights residential areas particularly sensitive to transient noise.
  • Being mindful of noise in gardens, especially during summer months - even conversational-level noise can carry further than expected.
  • Observing local and national restrictions related to fireworks - displays may need to stop if it becomes apparent that the event is causing distress or anti-social noise or under instruction from local authorities.

 

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