Council prosecution sees man fined over noisy cockerel

A man who breached a noise abatement notice after failing to silence his cockerel has been handed a £200 fine and ordered to pay £3,650 in legal costs.

The defendant lodged an appeal of an earlier decision that found he had breached a noise abatement notice issued by New Forest District Council.

However, Southampton Crown Court dismissed his appeal on 25 April 2025.

The council initially launched its investigation in 2022 after receiving complaints from eight neighbouring households along the residential street in Hampshire.

The local authority served its abatement notice in December 2022, but after a brief period of respite, the council received 12 further complaints from households in the area in 2023.

Diary evidence kept by residents highlighted that the crowing regularly affected their sleep from as early as 5:00 am each day.

The council then launched proceedings against the man for non-compliance of the abatement notice between July and October 2024.

Six residents gave evidence at a Crown Court hearing alongside two council officers.

The court upheld the original conviction and fined the man £200. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and legal costs of £3,651.95.

Cllr Dan Poole, our Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing, said: "We are committed to protecting our residents from unacceptable levels of noise and supporting them when issues arise.

“Everyone has the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home, and when informal approaches fail, we will not hesitate to take legal action where necessary."

Adam Carey