Family threatened with £5,000 fine over noises four-year-old son makes in garden

A couple have been threatened with a £5,000 fine following a complaint their little boy is too noisy playing in the garden. Simon and Pippa Lansdell have been sent a letter by Hull City Council warning if further complaints are made about their four-year-old son Alfie, they could be served with a noise abatement notice. They could then be fined up to £5,000 and have to pay a further £500 a day if the noise still doesn’t stop. Mr Lansdell, 35, said: “When I first opened the letter I was shocked, then I was absolutely fuming.

“We are not sure who has made a complaint. The neighbors we have spoken to are absolutely disgusted about it. Alfie can be noisy and boisterous, but he is just a normal 4-year-old playing in the garden. It’s the summer holidays, for goodness sake. Children need to play outside.mI can’t believe the council took this complaint seriously. I think it makes them look very stupid.”

The couple, of the Avenues area in west Hull, were sent the letter by the council’s environmental health team. It states the allegation of “noise nuisance” relates to a “child screaming/playing in garden”. The letter asks the couple to consider if Alfie’s behavior could be a nuisance to others. It reveals if further complaints are made, his behavior could be monitored with digital equipment.

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It also states the complainant, who is not identified, has been asked to keep a record of dates and times when Alfie’s playing causes a nuisance. Mr and Mrs Lansdell are warned if Alfie is found to be too noisy, they could be issued with a noise abatement notice. The letter states: “Failure to comply with such a notice can lead on conviction to a fine, not exceeding £5,000, together with a daily fine of up to £500 for each day the nuisance continues”. It also contains advice on how to keep the noise down in different situations, but does not offer any specific advice on dealing with children.