5.1 Pollution Control
5.2 Rodents & Pests
5.3 Waste Collection & Recycling
5.4 Roads, Pavements & Street Lighting
5.5 Street Nuisance
5.6 Licensing
5.7 Town Planning

Action by businesses and residents can improve the environment. Keep a record of letters and telephone calls and action promised; this will help if legal action is necessary later.

COUNCIL CONTACTS:
Camden
Director Environmental Health Department,
The Town Hall Extension,
Argyle Street entrance,
WC1H 8EQ.
278 4444.

Westminster
Director Environmental Services,
Council House,
Marylebone Road,
NW1 5PT.
641 1197.

5.1 POLLUTION CONTROL

Camden noise and air pollution team.
Noise or pollution from vehicle exhausts, air-conditioning units, bonfires, building sites.

Residential Nuisance
9am-5pm. 413 6912.

Commercial Nuisance
9am-5pm. 413 6921/860 5657.

Camden Noisy Party Patrol
Operates Fri & Sat between 9pm-4am. 278 4444.

Camden operates the switchboard at other times, but for assistance outside these hours contact the police.

Westminster noise and air pollution control team
Operates twenty four hours every day. The team covers all noise nuisances.
Office hours 8am-5pm,
641 1166;
other times: 641 6000.

Taking your own action: See also: CGCA Noise advice

Some people may wish to take private action against a person or organisation which is causing excessive or disruptive noise. Taking legal action is fairly straightforward and can be taken in easy steps. Many people have used this legal action, without the need of a solicitor. You can represent yourself during the hearings if you are able and feel confident enough. The procedure is not difficult and advice is available from the CGCA, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, other Law or Advice Centres and the Magistrate's Courts. A local authority cannot give advice on this. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA), Section 82 can be used by both private and Council tenants, owner occupiers and any individual affected to deal with noise which amounts to a 'statutory nuisance'. It is beneficial if any dispute can be resolved in a friendly manner. The other side may not be aware that their actions are causing nuisance or the cause for complaint may not be under their control. A personal approach can sometimes obtain the desired result or, if you feel wary of approaching them personally, a polite letter may resolve the problem. On occasions, such an approach will result in improvements and even if it fails it will help to show to the courts that you have reacted reasonably. In the case of noise it usually will be necessary to show to the Courts that the noise unduly interferes with your comfort and convenience.

The Courts will balance your right to quiet enjoyment of your property with the right of the other party to use their premises in a normal manner. It is unlikely that the Courts would require complete silence as living in London requires a degree of tolerance towards noise, but you do not have to experience unreasonable levels.

When deciding what is an unreasonable level, the Courts will look at the level and nature of the noise, together with its frequency, duration and the times and days the noise occurs. For example, a shift worker who has to sleep during the day, a home worker who needs complete silence to work etc., might be unlikely to be classified as average persons when deciding upon noise nuisance.

Costs. If you are successful the Court might make an order that the other person should pay your costs. You should keep a record of any costs that you have incurred or that your witnesses have incurred, e.g. having to take a day off work unpaid, travel expenses etc.

In other circumstances, magistrates have discretion as to how to award costs and either you or the nuisance maker could pay all or part of both sides' costs according to circumstances. In some cases you might be able to get legal aid to assist your case. This will only be available if you employ a solicitor to act on your behalf and is subject to a test of your financial circumstances.

Remember. A friendly approach is always best. Make a copy of all letters you send, post by Recorded Delivery and keep all replies. Be prepared to suggest a remedy or solution to the Court.

Full advice on any aspect of this procedure, advice prior to taking action, copies of 'noise-log' sheets or assistance with taking action is available free-of-charge from the Covent Garden Community Association.

5.2 RODENTS AND PESTS

Camden Pest Control
8am-4pm,
860 5976.

Westminster Pest Control
7.30am-3.30pm,
641 1522.
For residents only. Pests treated exclude wasps, bees and pigeons. Attends premises, administers treatment and advises.

5.3 WASTE COLLECTION & RECYCLING

Local Authorities are responsible for street cleansing, waste collection and emptying bins. Onyx UK are the contractors for Westminster; Serviceteam for Camden. Refuse sacks should be securely tied and placed in the street not more than three hours before collection time indicated on signs. Dumping rubbish is an offence and can result in a fine. Refuse dumping should be reported to one of the hotline numbers.

Camden Refuse Hotline
7am-5pm, 413 6914.
Answerphone 5pm-7am.

Westminster Refuse Hotline
8.30am-5.20pm, 641 1177.
Emergencies 641 6000.

Street cleansing services are monitored. Report any problems with the service to:
Camden Cleansing Officer
413 6922.

Westminster Cleansing Officer
641 1177.

Large items:
Camden provides free collection of white goods (fridges, cookers, washing machines, etc.) by arrangement; for other large items a charge may be made.
413 6914.

Abandoned vehicles:
Westminster: 641 1686.
Camden: 413 6914.

Camden: Garden and building waste and recycling of glass, paper, cans, plastic, metal (including fridges, cookers and washing machines) oils and rags are at;
Regis Road, NW5.
Open seven days a week.
8am-4pm.
485 1553.

Westminster One Stop Recycling Centre
North Wharf Road, W2.
641 1473.

Bottlebanks: are located at Newport Place, the junction of Phoenix and Stacey Streets, the junction of Endell Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and Crown Court.

Canbank: Newport Place.

Paperbank: Newport Place and Crown Court.

5.4 ROADS, PAVEMENTS AND STREET LIGHTING

Camden Highways Maintenance helpline
413 6947.

Westminster Highways Maintenance helpline
641 3875.

If a defective pavement causes an accident you may be able to claim compensation from the local authority. To establish a claim it is important to:

• Obtain a medical report from your doctor as soon as possible.
• Take names and addresses of people who witnessed the accident.
• Report what occurred as soon as possible to the police.
• Get advice from your solicitor.
• NEVER sign anything without taking independent advice.

You may also be entitled to Sickness Benefit, Industrial Injury Benefit or Invalidity Benefit from the DSS. You may claim if you do not have to stop work. DSS office details in Chapter 1.

5.5 STREET NUISANCE

Unauthorised building activity, unlicensed or badly-managed skips, obstructions, advertising boards, and tables and chairs on the highway, flyposting, estate agents boards and illegal trading:
Camden 413 6937.
Westminster 641 2560.

DOG FOULING:
Westminster 641 3278.
Camden 413 6941.

5.6 LICENSING

Councils are responsible for issuing licences and for ensuring compliance with regulations. An Entertainment Licence is required where public entertainment is provided or a bar is open after 11pm. A Night Café Licence is required if a take-away service is provided after midnight. An Off-licence is required for the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption off the premises.

Application forms from:
Camden Licensing Department
278 4444, ext 2795.

Westminster Licensing Department
641 1090.

To object to a new licence, telephone the appropriate number for details of the application. All new applications and major changes to licences are advertised. Notices, which include the final date for objections will be posted at the premises and in the local paper.

If you wish to object to an application for a Justices' Licence (liquor licence), write to the Clerk to the Licensing Justices at the relevant Magistrates Court, setting out briefly the reasons for your objection.

Music and Dancing Licence applications are determined by the Council's Licensing Sub-Committee. Applications for Liquor Licences go to the Licensing Justices at a public hearing. Your objection will carry more weight if you attend in person. CGCA will advise on procedures for objecting to licence applications and often also attend hearings with local objectors.

If the operation of licensed premises causes a problem the first action should be to contact the licensee or manager. If the problem continues, contact the police or the noise team of your Council. Keep a detailed record of the disturbance and ask your neighbours to do the same. Photographs of incidents are good evidence to support an objection to the renewal of a licence. Inform your ward councillors about the incidents and ask for their support in objecting to the licence renewal. Public Entertainment Licences are automatically renewed annually unless there are objections - Liquor Licences are renewed every three years.

5.7 TOWN PLANNING

CGCA receives copies of all planning applications, traffic proposals and consultation documents affecting Covent Garden, which may be inspected at our office at 21 Macklin Street. 836 3355.

CAMDEN:
Director of Environment,
London Borough of Camden,
Town Hall Extension,
Argyle Street, WC1H 8EQ.
278 4444.
Complaints phoneline
860 5611.
For general advice on making a complaint contact the Central Appeals Unit 860 5644.

WESTMINSTER:
General information on applications is available to callers at the One Stop desk City Hall, Victoria Street, SW1. 641 2513. Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm.

The South Area Team processes town planning in Covent Garden. Address questions on specific planning matters to the Senior Administrative Officer on any weekday except Thurs. Westminster guarantees a response within 24 hours. 641 2681.

Information on past planning applications: 641 2513.

Unauthorised Development - Planning Enforcement Team: 641 2553.

Complaints should be addressed to the Director of Environment & Planning, Westminster City Council, City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QP. 641 2683.