Noise level between semi-detached new build

[ba_newhomeowner]

I have recently moved into a semi-detached new build and I can hear my neighbours quite a lot. I have lived in a terrace house previously and would occasionally hear my neighbours running up the stairs but that was about it.
 
In my current house, I can hear running up the stairs, doors being shut, what sounds like chairs scrapping across the floor and people voices (fairly loudly) including talking (shouting) and kids screaming/laughing.

I hear all these noises on daily basis and can’t figure out if I’m being over sensitive or if this level of noise between the houses isn’t normal and if so what can I even do about it?
Any advice appreciated.

[New Home Expert]

It does seem likely there is a defect in either the sound insulation between the homes (party wall) or more serious any air gaps in walls floors or roof that are allowing sound to pass from one home to the other and which would also allow smoke to do the same.

I would suggest that as well as conducting an acoustic test that an air integrity test is also carried out to ensure your home is sealed and isolated from your neighbours.

I would also add that it looks like your neighbours are terrible and perhaps you should go round and tell them the keep it down.

In my first house, also a semi, I could hear my neighbours going up the stairs sometimes, their phone ringing and the front door closing but that was it. They even had a baby which I never heard!