Britain's noisiest neighbourhoods unveiled
By Marc Da Silva
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As an income investment, buy-to-let continues to look attractive, especially compared to low savings rates and stock market swings, but when looking for a property to invest in there are obviously lots of things to consider, including price, location and size.
Noise levels are another factor worth taking into consideration when investing in property.
While there are still plenty of areas where peace and quiet are to be found, others expose people to loud daytime traffic noise that not only offers sleep depriving disturbance, but can also cause health problems, according to World Health Organisation.
Research by the specialised agency of the United Nations shows that those surrounded by daytime traffic noise louder than 60 decibels (dB) are 4% more likely die to than those who only experienced noise levels of 55dB, which equates to the noise of a loud conversation.
So where are Britain's noisiest neighbourhoods located?
TV property guru Phil Spencer's property advice site MoveiQ.co.uk has analysed Freedom of Information data to track noise complaints over three years and found that the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council received a deafening 34,910 noise complaints from residents during that time period – more than any other part of the country.
In total, 308 authorities provided data detailing the complaints lodged between 2015 and 2017, allowing researchers to map the loudest towns and cities in Britain.
At the top of the table is the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, followed by Islington, Southwark, Haringey and Newham - all located in London.
Belfast, ranked 7th on the list, and Edinburgh, 8th, are the only two places outside London to feature in the top 10.
Councils with most noise complaints
Complaints in 2015
Total complaints
Kensington & Chelsea
By comparison, the Outer Hebrides' Western Isles Council received just 48 complaints over the three years analysed.
The second quietest spot was Clackmannanshire, Scotland, which recorded just 102 complaints between 2015 and 2017, with Mid Devon completing the top three.
However, not all the quietest areas were rural - the top 10 includes Ashfield, an urban district that includes parts of Nottingham and Mansfield.
Councils with fewest noise complaints
Western Isles Council
Mid Devon
South Cambridgeshire.
Oadby & Wigston
Phil Spencer, co-founder of MoveiQ, commented: "It's striking that Britain's most expensive neighbourhood also has the highest number of noise complaints. Whether this is because Kensington and Chelsea is especially noisy, or because its residents are the most sensitive to noise is moot, but it does at least show money can't guarantee peace and quiet.
"Everyone wants to be able to relax and sleep well in their own home - and noise can be a real barrier to this. Whether you're sensitive to noise or not, if you're planning a move you shouldn't underestimate the importance of knowing how noisy the local area is.
"If you're buying a home, always find out how long the sellers have lived at the property. If the answer is only briefly, ask why, and more to the point, whether their decision has anything to do with noisy neighbours.
"It's also worth checking whether there are any planning applications in the pipeline. An easy way to do this is by ordering a Move iQ property report, which will flag up all granted - and pending - applications in the immediate area. The last thing you'll want after moving into your new home is to be awoken by the sound of a construction site next door!"
Phil Spencer
MoveiQ.co.uk
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