A Stevenage resident who kept playing loud music after a council noise abatement notice has been fined, with costs totalling £356, by magistrates.

A Stevenage resident has been ordered to pay a fine and court costs totalling £356 after ignoring a council order to stop playing excessively loud music at her home.

Shannon Simpson, of Ascot Crescent, pleaded guilty to one offence under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 when the case was heard at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on 16 October, Stevenage Borough Council said in a news release on Monday 26 October. Section 80 is the part of the Act that covers abatement notices, and failing to comply with one is an offence.

How the case built up

According to the council, it served a noise abatement notice on the property in July 2025 after neighbours complained about loud music being played there.

The complaints did not stop. The council said its Environmental Health Officers “continued to receive complaints and witnessed loud music being played from the property”. The case went to court 15 months after the notice was served.

The council did not say how the £356 was split between the fine and its costs.

What the council said

Rob Broom, Cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Planning, said:

“Persistent noise nuisance can have a significant impact on people’s quality of life and their ability to enjoy their homes. We take reports of noise nuisance seriously and will investigate complaints and take appropriate action where necessary. This case demonstrates that we will use our enforcement powers when residents fail to comply with a noise abatement notice.”

What it means for you

If loud music, parties, barking dogs or DIY at unreasonable hours are a problem where you live, the council’s noise nuisance in the home page suggests speaking to the neighbour first, since many people do not realise they are causing a problem. If that does not work, you can complain to the council:

  • online, through the complaint form linked from that page;
  • by contacting the Environmental Health and Licensing team at env.health@stevenage.gov.uk, or by letter to Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage SG1 1HN;
  • through your ward councillor;
  • through the council’s Noise App, which lets you record the noise as evidence.

Not every noise counts. The council says it does not treat everyday living noise (vacuuming, footsteps, doors, conversation), noise caused only by poor sound insulation, children playing, or ordinary DIY at reasonable times as a statutory nuisance.

Problems that go beyond noise can be reported through the council’s anti-social behaviour service. For other council services, see our guides to Stevenage bin collection days and Stevenage council tax bands.