Noise exceeding registered levelN.I.
45.—(1) The level of noise recorded in the noise level register in respect of any premises shall not be exceeded except with the consent in writing of the district council.
(2) The district council's consent may be made subject to such conditions, whether as to the amount by which the level of noise may be increased, or as to the period for which, or the periods during which, the level of noise may be increased, as may be specified in the consent; and the council shall record particulars of the consent in the noise level register.
(3) If within the period of two months beginning with the date on which a district council receives an application for its consent under this Article or within such longer period as the council and the applicant agree in writing, the council has not notified the applicant of its decision on the application, the council shall be deemed to have refused the consent.
(4) An applicant for consent under this Article may appeal to the Department against the district council's decision on the application within the period of three months beginning with the date on which the council notifies him of the decision or, in a case falling within paragraph (3), beginning with the expiration of the period or longer period there mentioned; and the district council shall act in accordance with the decision of the Department on the appeal.
(5) If noise emitted from any premises constitutes a contravention of paragraph (1) or of a condition attached to a consent under this Article, the person responsible shall be guilty of an offence against this Part.
(6) The court of summary jurisdiction convicting a person of an offence under paragraph (5) may, if satisfied that the offence is likely to continue or recur, make an order requiring the execution of any works necessary to prevent it continuing or recurring, and if that person without reasonable excuse contravenes any requirement of the order he shall be guilty of an offence against this Part.
(7) The court of summary jurisdiction may, after giving the district council in whose district the premises are situated an opportunity of being heard, direct the council to do anything which the court may under paragraph (6) require the person convicted to do, either instead of, or in addition to, imposing any requirement on that person.
(8) A consent given under this Article shall contain a statement to the effect that the consent does not of itself constitute any ground of defence against any proceedings instituted under [F1section 70 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 ] .
F1Words in art. 45(8) substituted (1.4.2012) by Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 23), s. 78, Sch. 3 para. 9(2); S.R. 2012/13, art. 2(2), Sch. 2