'Overly loud' ice cream van chime whips up a storm

The ice cream operator claims they "haven't broken any rules"

A Lincolnshire ice cream van owner has been accused of playing "overly loud" chimes.

Harrison's Ices received a letter from East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) detailing a complaint made by a Louth resident.

John Barton, owner of the North East Lincolnshire operator, claims they "haven't broken any rules" relating to the noise and duration of the chimes.

A spokesperson from ELDC said it must investigate every nuisance complaint received to comply with the Environmental Protection Act.

The company has four vans that serve ice cream across Louth, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and nearby villages.

ELDC sent the letter on 25 April, highlighting a resident's complaint that the chimes are "used excessively" between 18:00 and 19:00 BST when the weather is good.

It refers to streets in Louth including Eastfield Road, Park Avenue and Chestnut Drive.

In a Facebook post commenting on the letter, Harrison's Ices said: "What has the world come to".

'I'm not unreasonable'

Mr Barton, 33, who owns Harrison's Ices, claims the chimes are played at no more than 45dB - well within government guidelines.

He said: "It's frustrating, it's 12 to 15 seconds of music and it's not in your ear.

"I have come across some weird things and this is one of the weirdest.

"In the middle of the summer season, you don't expect to get that sort of complaint."

He added: "New houses are getting built in Louth and with that you get new people and issues.

"I did consider pulling the vans from Louth when I first got the complaint."

If he could speak to the complainant, Mr Barton said he would tell them: "Approach us first. I'm understanding, I'm not unreasonable.

"I would be happy to deal with it personally."

In the letter to Mr Barton, ELDC said: "It is alleged that when the weather is nice the van is in the area nearly every evening between 18:00 and 19:00 hours.

"It has been alleged the chimes are overly loud and are used excessively between the above times (i.e. it is alleged that the Blue Peter style chimes are sounded too often/frequently and potentially for too long)."

A spokesperson from East Lindsey District Council said it "does not have a choice in whether or not to investigate".

They added that each year the council receives more than 800 noise complaints, which they must investigate as part of their statutory duty.

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