The Act contains the main legislative controls for noise pollution in the UK. Section 80 of the Act gives local authorities the power to serve a noise abatement notice where a statutory noise nuisance exists. Section 82 allows any individual to apply to a magistrates court for a noise abatement notice to be served if the court is convinced that a statutory nuisance exists.

The Act does not provide any guidance on noise levels that cause a statutory nuisance.  The term 'statutory nuisance' is defined as 'noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance'.  If a noise abatement notice is breached, the person responsible for the nuisance can be prosecuted for the breach of the notice, and in the case of a business be fined up to £20,000.