Frequently Asked Questions
- Q My neighbour is causing me problems with their behaviour - what can I do?
- Q My neighbour regularly has bonfires, what can the council do about it?
- Q What is TDC doing to monitor air quality in the district?
- Q I need to dispose of some asbestos waste - will the district council do it for me?
- Q I have a swarm of bees - can you help?
- Q The builders near me are causing too much noise, what can the council do?
- Q I'm being driven mad by dog walkers not picking up after their dogs - what can I do?
- Q I've found a stray dog - what do I do?
- Q My neighbours dogs barking is keeping me awake - what can I do?
- Q I have a blocked drain - who's responsibility is it to clear it?
- Q What is the law around the use of fireworks?
- Q My home is being invaded by flies - can the council do anything?
- Q I think my home is at risk from flooding, what should I do?
- Q I've seen someone flytipping - what should I do?
- Q My neighbours security light is causing a nuisance, is there anything I can do?
- Q What do the council do about littering in the area?
- Q Help I have a pest problem (mice, rats, wasps)
- Q What can I do about loud noise from my neighbouring property?
- Q Help! What can I do about an unpleasant odour?
- Q I'm worried about environmental impacts from a proposed development nearby, will environmental health be involved?
- Q Is Torridge in a radon affected area?
- Q Help! I'm on a private water supply!
- Q There is an issue with the water provided by South West Water - can the council get involved?
- Q What do I do if I have asbestos in my home?
-
Q
My neighbour is causing me problems with their behaviour - what can I do?
AAnti-social behaviour is any unsatisfactory behaviour caused by the occupier of the house or any visitors to the house that is deemed an annoyance, nuisance or harassment to people who are not of the same household. This includes, but is not limited to, noise, violence, abuse, threats and the use of the property for any activity relating to illegal drugs.
Click here for more details about My neighbour is causing me problems with their behaviour - what can I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
My neighbour regularly has bonfires, what can the council do about it?
AThere are no by laws or general restrictions on bonfires in the district. If done carefully, the occasional bonfire or barbecue should not cause a major problem, so an outright ban on bonfires would be unreasonable. However, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to cause a statutory nuisance, and this can include nuisances created by bonfires.
Click here for more details about My neighbour regularly has bonfires, what can the council do about it?
Up to the questions -
Q
What is TDC doing to monitor air quality in the district?
AThe Local Authority has a statutory duty to monitor air quality in the district and to take action where levels of certain pollutant exceed specified levels.
Click here for more details about What is TDC doing to monitor air quality in the district?
Up to the questions -
Q
I need to dispose of some asbestos waste - will the district council do it for me?
AUnfortunately we do not offer an asbestos disposal service.
Click here for more details about I need to dispose of some asbestos waste - will the district council do it for me?
Up to the questions -
Q
I have a swarm of bees - can you help?
AThe district council do not offer a service for collecting/ destroying bees.
Click here for more details about I have a swarm of bees - can you help?
Up to the questions -
Q
The builders near me are causing too much noise, what can the council do?
AConstruction sites are in the open and are often near existing residential accommodation. Residents will in general accept construction site noise but will complain if work starts early or finishes late or takes place on Saturday afternoon, Sundays or Bank holidays.
Click here for more details about The builders near me are causing too much noise, what can the council do?
Up to the questions -
Q
I'm being driven mad by dog walkers not picking up after their dogs - what can I do?
AWe are working with Town and Parish councils to try to reduce dog fouling across the district through a mixture of public education and enforcement.
Click here for more details about I'm being driven mad by dog walkers not picking up after their dogs - what can I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
I've found a stray dog - what do I do?
AIf you have collected a stray from outside of the district you should contact the authority where you found the dog, it is not a TDC stray. Do you know who the dog belongs to? Can you take it back to their owner? If you can, that would be appreciated. We're happy to contact the owner afterwards to let them know about the law about straying.
Click here for more details about I've found a stray dog - what do I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
My neighbours dogs barking is keeping me awake - what can I do?
AIt's normal for dogs to bark, however, when that barking turns to loud and continuous barking or frequent bursts of barking throughout the day and night, it can amount to a statutory noise nuisance. A barking dog complaint will be treated in the same way as any other noise complaint, it could lead to us serving a Statutory Noise Abatement Notice on the owner of the dog.
Click here for more details about My neighbours dogs barking is keeping me awake - what can I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
I have a blocked drain - who's responsibility is it to clear it?
AOwnership of drainage can fall to South West Water, Highways or householders themselves, depending on the type and age of the drain.
Click here for more details about I have a blocked drain - who's responsibility is it to clear it?
Up to the questions -
Q
What is the law around the use of fireworks?
AIt is difficult to deal with noise from fireworks as a statutory nuisance; for something to be a nuisance, it has to be a continuous state of affairs. Occasional or 'one off' displays would not fall under this definition. However, the Fireworks Regulations 2004 prohibit anyone under 18 from possessing fireworks, and anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks in a public place.
Click here for more details about What is the law around the use of fireworks?
Up to the questions -
Q
My home is being invaded by flies - can the council do anything?
ASome agricultural activities, particularly intensive chicken and livestock housing, may create the right breeding conditions for flies which can then become a nuisance to surrounding properties. Flies can be a statutory nuisance, though this involves locating the source of the problem and the issues giving rise to the problem - it can sometimes be a difficult case to prove. In these situations we will work with farmers to advise on fly management best practice.
Click here for more details about My home is being invaded by flies - can the council do anything?
Up to the questions -
Q
I think my home is at risk from flooding, what should I do?
AAdvice on protecting your home from flooding, along with post-flood clear up advice is available.
Click here for more details about I think my home is at risk from flooding, what should I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
I've seen someone flytipping - what should I do?
AFly-tipping is the illegal disposal of rubbish without a waste management license. Torridge District Council are keen to pursue individuals and companies that are spoiling our beautiful environment through this illegal activity.
Click here for more details about I've seen someone flytipping - what should I do?
Up to the questions -
Q
My neighbours security light is causing a nuisance, is there anything I can do?
ACertain types of artificial light, if improperly sited or used, could give rise to statutory nuisance. When assessing potential statutory nuisance, the Local Authority will take into account factors.
Click here for more details about My neighbours security light is causing a nuisance, is there anything I can do?
Up to the questions -
Q
What do the council do about littering in the area?
AThere is no formal definition of litter but in practice, litter is most commonly assumed to include materials often associated with smoking, eating and drinking that are discarded and left by members of the public who do not use the proper receptacles such as litter bins.
Click here for more details about What do the council do about littering in the area?
Up to the questions -
Q
Help I have a pest problem (mice, rats, wasps)
ATorridge District Council does not have a legal duty to provide a pest control service to domestic premises and is unable to provide such a service currently. Customers requiring a treatment are recommended to contact a private pest control company, as they should be licensed to use more effective treatments than those available in hardware stores, DIY stores, etc.
Click here for more details about Help I have a pest problem (mice, rats, wasps)
Up to the questions -
Q
What can I do about loud noise from my neighbouring property?
AIf you're being affected by persistent noise from a neighbouring property you can report it by filling in a nuisance report form.
Click here for more details about What can I do about loud noise from my neighbouring property?
Up to the questions -
Q
Help! What can I do about an unpleasant odour?
AMost of us are troubled by unpleasant smells at some time. If the smell does not go on for a prolonged period or is not too unpleasant we can usually cope.
Click here for more details about Help! What can I do about an unpleasant odour?
Up to the questions -
Q
I'm worried about environmental impacts from a proposed development nearby, will environmental health be involved?
AEnvironmental Health is a statutory consultee on planning applications. We review and make recommendations on planning applications, so that potential problems can be identified, prevented or managed with effective planning conditions.
Click here for more details about I'm worried about environmental impacts from a proposed development nearby, will environmental health be involved?
Up to the questions -
Q
Is Torridge in a radon affected area?
ARadon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless natural gas found in soil and rocks. Levels vary throughout Torridge from parish to parish and even from house to house in the same street.
Click here for more details about Is Torridge in a radon affected area?
Up to the questions -
Q
Help! I'm on a private water supply!
ATorridge is a rural district and as such not all homes and business have access to a water supply from South West Water.
Click here for more details about Help! I'm on a private water supply!
Up to the questions -
Q
There is an issue with the water provided by South West Water - can the council get involved?
ATorridge District Council has no legal powers over the quality of mains supplies.
Click here for more details about There is an issue with the water provided by South West Water - can the council get involved?
Up to the questions -
Q
What do I do if I have asbestos in my home?
AAsbestos can be dangerous to human health if it has been disturbed or damaged and must be disposed of safely. The following information can help you understand what to do if you suspect your property is affected by asbestos
Click here for more details about What do I do if I have asbestos in my home?
Up to the questions