‘Rock ‘n roll ain’t noise pollution’ claimed heavy rockers AC/DC, but that’s a point of view that won’t be shared by many who live near bars or nightclubs throughout the island. The party atmosphere of Lanzarote’s tourist zones, as well as the traditional fiestas and carnivals, mean that peace and quiet can be hard to find, and it’s not just music – building works, noisy nightclubbers, barking dogs and unsilenced vehicles can also regularly shatter your eardrums. However, things could change following a series of workshops that may result in a new support group that will take the problem seriously, reports Gazettelive.

The Canarian Diputado del Comun (Ombudsman) recently organised a series of workshops on acoustic pollution, and this gave a number of Lanzarote residents the chance to get together and discuss the problem. It is foreseen that the meetings will lead to a support group that will assist those who suffer from noise pollution on the island.

Ignacio Stampa, Lanzarote’s Public Prosecutor, criticised the inactivity of the island’s Ayuntamientos in respect to complaints of noise, and Ignacio Saenz de Cosculluela, President of Spain’s National Association Against Noise, explained exactly how to make a successful complaint, as many of his group’s members have done already.

Nuisance noise is a social problem as well as an environmental one. Sufferers can be affected psychologically and disputes can be serious. Many sufferers believe that the term ‘noise pollution’ is not strong enough, and that the problem should be classified as a form of abuse or even violence against other people. It’s a continuous problem in Spain, the second noisiest country in the world.

Anti-social
Someone who makes noise without intending to upset others is not guilty of a premeditated abuse, but if they continue to do so once warned then it’s clear that they are behaving antisocially, selfishly and in a manner that runs against the basic idea of democracy. Anti-noise activists hope to make authorities take the problem seriously, whether noise makers are youngsters with a hi-fi or huge construction companies; nightclub owners or quad bike riders.

Franco Sanchez, a victim of noise abuse in Albacete, Spain, said: “Noise such as loud music played repetitively is explicitly used as a form of torture by the US Army and other regimes. The CIA have said it is psychologically devastating but leaves no physical marks.”

From law-abiding citizen to psychopath
Sanchez continued: “Sufferers of noise abuse are often regarded as obsessives by society. The fact that noise can cause depression or anger only means that sufferers are further seen as mentally unhinged. It can even drive people into violence. Which one of us hasn’t found ourselves having murderous thoughts when we hear noise from the neighbours or a nearby nightclub.”

Lluis Gallardo, a Barcelona lawyer, criticised the way that some people’s fun can seriously affect the lives of others. A good example is the Carnival of Tenerife, which was almost halted earlier this year after complaints from residents who were sick of the endless noise. Gallardo recognised that carnivals have a right to take place, but criticised the Mayor of Tenerife for scape-goating the complainers. Another example the Gazette addressed last year was the Costa Musicas Rock Festival near Playa Bastian in Costa Teguise, which brought numerous complaints. The festival is set to take place again this September.

Gallardo declared that it was intolerable that some citizens can continuously disturb others while the Ayuntamientos do nothing, and pointed out the case of Arrecife’s main nightlife zone Calle Jose Antonio – two ex-councillors face trial for being in cahoots with club owners and doing nothing about the noise there.

Ignacio Saenz concluded by saying: “A government or council that does not control noise is abusing its citizens. Acoustic abuse goes directly against the fundamental rights provided by our constitution, and is incompatible with a democracy.” He also expressed sadness that these situations usually have to be solved in court, with the resultant high costs that this implies.

Are you sick of pounding music, diggers and drilling, quad bikes and scooters or dogs? Or is it all part of life on Lanzarote? Contact us with your opinions.

What local people say:

R:H
“ The levels of noise allowed by the law is ridiculous. They measure them with windows and doors closed, which is unrealistic. Council officials don’t have the correct measuring equipment, or they measure noise at times when it’s not so bad. But noise doesn’t have to be continuous to be a nuisance.”

J.H
“I suffered from a restaurant beneath my home for months. It had a porch that actually amplified noise. I denounced them nine times to the Ayuntamiento of Teguise, but nothing happened – I reckon the owners knew them. It’s closed now, but I’ll never get that year back.”

J.C.H
“ I haven’t been able to sleep in my bedroom for nearly five years. My wife and I have both seen psychiatrists and our health has suffered. The noise comes from refrigerators that cause up to 64 decibels, when the legal limit is 30 by day and 35 by night. I’ve reported it to the Ayuntamiento, Cabildo, the Ombudsman and the civil courts. Once two council officials came, but they had no measuring equipment. I’ve had to hire a company from the mainland to measure it.”

M.G
“ It doesn’t just affect me. It’s caused by paper-thin walls that are allowed in buildings, the rudeness and selfishness of certain neighbours, unsilenced motor vehicles, dogs, night-clubbers returning at 5 or 6 in the morning – I can even hear the neighbours cleaning their teeth.

“ I don’t think a new law is needed, simply that the current one is enforced. Currently the Ayuntamiento and police do nothing. However, I think constructors should be obliged to build proper walls, with insulation.”