A SMALL town is abuzz with theories about a mysterious and “annoying” noise plaguing residents.
Locals in Spondon, Derbyshire have been left baffled by the high-pitched tone which is so loud that the council – who also do not know its origin – have been called in to investigate.
GoogleLocals in Spondon, Derbyshire have been left baffled[/caption]
Theories about the cause of the sound, which can be heard around the town clock, range from wind turbines to a new industrial estate.
The noise was first reported on Facebook on Friday.
A post by the Spondon Councillors page, uploaded yesterday, says: “We are investigating a noise issue that a few residents have been in touch with.
“We have put this forward to our Environmental Protection Team to take a look at.
“However, we have to date not been able to identify where it is coming from.
“It is a high pitched noise that can be heard in the early morning and yesterday it was heard from the majority of the day.
“Residents who live near the south of Spondon can hear it most and even residents in Borrowash have reported it.
“It does sound like it could be coming from the commercial park or the Smart Parc.
“If anyone has any information that could help us, that would be fantastic!”
One resident, Jean Kinton, asked whether it could be coming from a nearby Rolls-Royce site “as they have got a nuclear reactor going 24/7″.
Another resident, claiming to be a former nuclear engineer, said: “Definitely not. You’d be surprised how quiet a reactor is.”
Another local, Claire Webster, said the ringing sound left her thinking she had tinnitus.
Daniel Lifty revealed his theory that refrigeration from a new energy centre building was behind it.
Tansy Collins posted that her niece said she could hear a “beeping sound continuously”, but she could not hear it herself.
Andy Beecham said: “We hear it intermittently and we’re just off Locko Road. I thought it may be from the Wind Turbines?”
In the Spondon Community Group on Facebook, another local, Ruth Tinkler, asked: “Does anyone actually know what the high pitched buzzing noise is? I hear it most mornings. So annoying.”
Residents replied with theories ranging from power lines to a nearby 5G mast.
Spondon is not the first place in Britain to be plagued by a tedious and droning sound.
Tenants of an 11-storey tower block in Bristol were blighted for 18 months by a screeching noise whenever the wind blew.
Residents of Dudley in the West Midlands were also hit by a high-pitched ringing, sounding in different tones throughout the day.
What to do if you have a noise complaint
Councils have to look into complaints about noise which could be a “statutory nuisance”, according to Gov.uk.
These include noises which “unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises”, or which “injure health or [are] likely to injure health”.
If the local authority agrees that a statutory nuisance is taking place now or will happen in the future, the council must serve an abatement notice – which requires whoever is responsible to stop or restrict the noise.
Statutory noise nuisance laws do not apply to traffic, planes, political demonstrations, or premises occupied by the armed forces or visiting forces.
Councils are able to investigate statutory nuisance complaints to tackle noise produced at any time of day or night.
For noise above permitted levels between the hours of 11pm and 7am, warning notices may also be issued, even if it does not qualify as a statutory nuisance.
Councils also have separate powers to deal with anti-social noise