A SPECIALIST team could be set up to clamp down on noise nuisances and provide a better deal for homeowners whose lives are blighted by noisy neighbours.

Council bosses in York are to consider improvements to the way noise problems are dealt with, six months after the authority was critisised by the Local Government Ombudsman.

Private properties accounted for almost three-quarters of the 823 noise complaints made last year, but only three non-council housing abatement notices were served last year, and no prosecutions have been made against private homeowners since 1996.

In March, the Ombudsman awarded a couple £750 in compensation after finding the city council guilty of maladministration in its dealings with their noisy neighbour complaint.

The council may spend up to £130,000 next year to create a noise abatement unit.

The acting manager of the environmental protection unit Mike Southcombe, said: "Domestic noise nuisance is one of the most common types of anti-social behaviour.

"The aim of the new proposals is to ensure that we can deal with all noise complaints effectively and efficiently."