Neighbour dispute over wind chimes 'torture'

A set of wind chimes hanging from a clothes line in the rear garden of a property has driven a next-door neighbour to complain to the council of what he has described as "slow torture".

The neighbour of Gordon Littlechild has told the council that the constant noise of the chimes is making his life a misery and preventing him from sleeping at night. He contends that Mr Littlechild hung the wind chimes to spite him after a falling out over a roof extension. Mr Littlechild however, contends that the chimes have been there for at least ten years, and that his neighbour is only now objecting in a continuation of the dispute that arose over the extension he added to his roof.

Two noise pollution officials visited the house, and after carrying out tests with a decibel meter, told Mr Littlechild, aged 45, that he had to remove the chimes or risk a court hearing and possible fine of up to £5,000. However, he has vowed to "fight it all the way" and called the council intervention a waste of taxpayers' money.

Neighbour disputes can arise over what can seem to be the most trivial matters, but there is no doubting that when relations with your neighbours deteriorate, it can have a significant impact on your enjoyment of your home. The first step is to obviously attempt to reconcile with your neighbour and come to some agreement. If that fails, it may be necessary to involve the council, police or a solicitor to help rectify the situation. Under no circumstances should you begin a course of revenge or retribution, as this will almost certainly escalate the matter, and many neighbours reach the point of criminal behaviour after what started as fairly simple differences of opinion.

If you live in Northern Ireland and need legal advice in respect of a dispute you are having with a neighbour, perhaps over a boundary wall or fence, the use of party lanes or roads, or any other matter, contact one of the litigation solicitors at Wilson Nesbitt in Belfast by calling 0800 840 9289.

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