Hohenrain residents still face farm noise despite court ruling

Residents of Hohenrain’s Günikon district continue to endure excessive noise from an agricultural contracting company despite a court ruling upholding restrictions, SRF reports.

Herbert Röösli, who lives nearby, says work and vehicle movements at Leu AG are particularly loud when the company receives maize and other farm produce and presses it into bales. The work can continue late into the night, he said.

Residents filed a complaint six years ago, and noise measurements found the levels were too high. In 2023, the municipality ordered Leu AG to carry out noise-control measures and restricted loud work at certain times of day and night. The company appealed, but the Lucerne Cantonal Court upheld the municipality’s requirements this year.

Röösli says the situation has not improved and that work still regularly takes place at lunchtime and into the evening. He accuses the municipality of failing to ensure the required noise-control work is carried out.

In a written response, the municipality said it takes residents’ concerns seriously and understands that the prolonged situation is burdensome. It also said Lucerne cantonal authorities are involved, delaying the matter.

Residents are also concerned about plans for a new operating building for the company’s noisy work. Röösli says noise-control measures should be completed before any new construction. Leu AG did not comment when asked about its plans or the dispute with neighbours.