I have an intermittent 'noise' emanating from somewhere in the vicinity of the steering wheel, maybe towards the light switch area of the lower dash. When it is in full flow it drives me mad.

It isn't directly associated with the steering. It starts when travelling.

Although it does sound like a slightly higher pitch annoying rattle that cars get (and which a good whack often cures ) it sounds more electrical to me. More like a capacitor or something like that malfunctioning or even something short circuiting. It only comes on when travelling and after, say 15 minutes, will stop. It doesn't do it when stationary which makes it hard to pin point the exact location although I would say to the right hand side of the steering column towards the light.

Anyone got any ideas on this please.

I think I have the same noise, but intermittently, and it disappears after a few minutes of driving. I'd describe it as a highish pitched chatter... from the area of the steering wheel, or behind it. Can't place it & it goes before any troubleshooting can be done.
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Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Check the rear view mirror by holding it, mine buzzes which is anouying. Also my right hand A-pillar rattled/buzzed until I put a small piece of card down the gap between the speaker grill and A-pillar. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Ha ha... Thanks.. actually I went through exactly the same diagnosis & repair many months ago. The chattering from then dash area is different.

An invisible sliver of thin plastic wedged in the lower lip of the rear view mirror (2cm long, 2mm tall, 0.5mm thick approx)solved the buzzing mirror completely. The dealer was willing to replace it but this works & is unnoticeable. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

I had a rattle/vibration on the rear door trim a credit card wedged in then cut off cured mine.

Does it sound like a sort of grinding noise, like a bearing or sort of like a key scratching a window and is it coming from somewhere behind the dash or a bit lower down or is it more like a rattle? If it's the former, mine went in for the third time to get it sorted under warranty. So far it could be driveshaft or gearbox related but they won't know until they strip bits off the car and carry out a proper inspection. Whereabouts unknown stop going to follow stream until reach civilisation stop message ends

An update on this:

I have size 13 feet. Contact to the area in question with my foot has led to noise free driving for at least the past 2 week