When people are crowded into a restricted place, noise can affect a person’s behaviour and attitude. Problems exist with noise and territory, privacy and personal space. Since noise is related to human activity, high-density areas are prone to a higher amount of noise pollution.
The population density of the Maltese Islands, according to the National Statistics Office’s 2010 census is 1,307 per km2. Since the distribution of the urban footprint spreads over half the island’s area, the urban population density is about 3,000 people per km2.
During the summer months, the urban areas that cater for open-air entertainment or seaside facilities have a substantial increase in population density. These include Żurrieq to Marsascala; Gżira to St Andrew’s and St Paul’s Bay to Mellieħa and Gozo. It is inevitable that these localities will be overcrowding and jam-packed with traffic. On most days of the week, this boisterous activity extends well into the rest hours.
Therefore, as expected, this activity will definitely contribute to a higher incidence of noise nuisance. A confirmation of this is the number of articles, opinions and letters to this newspaper, confirming that noise nuisance is rampant, especially at this time of the year.
Although there is sufficient legislation to deal with it, it is evident that noise pollution is rampant either because the regulations lack sufficient clarity regarding when noise is a nuisance or else because the application of these regulations is at fault. I hope that if the proposals in the White Paper Neighbourhood Noise Prevention, Abatement And Control, will be enacted, some of the present problems will be resolved.
Furthermore, certain bye-laws enacted by local councils increase the possibility of noise nuisance. For instance, Subsidiary Legislation 441.04, enacted by local councils to facilitate activities within their borders, is short of sufficient guidelines for the control of noise nuisance. The only condition in this legislation is for the control of noise from generators, in conjunction with entertainment. Nonetheless, in the same bye-law at schedule C, the playing of amplified music is unconditional.
To mitigate this situation, the Noise Abatement Society of Malta (NASoM) is having talks with the Department of Local Government to amend the local council bye-laws by introducing succinct and clear guidelines regarding noise abatement.
Neighbours have the right to use and enjoy their property as they please. Problems arise when the rights of neighbours come into conflict with the neighbour’s right to peace and quiet. The freedom to enjoy yourself must not compromise your neighbour’s right to quiet enjoyment of his property.