Summary
Planning Policy Guidance 24 (PPG24) guides local authorities in England on the use of their planning powers to minimise the adverse impact of noise. It outlines the considerations to be taken into account in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities which generate noise.
It explains the concept of noise exposure categories for residential development and recommends appropriate levels for exposure to different sources of noise.
It also advises on the use of conditions to minimise the impact of noise. Six annexes contain noise exposure categories for dwellings, explain noise levels, give detailed guidance on the assessment of noise from different sources, gives examples of planning conditions, specify noise limits, and advise on insulation of buildings against external noise.
Introduction
Noise can have a significant effect on the environment and on the quality of life enjoyed by individuals and communities. The aim of this guidance is to provide advice on how the planning system can be used to minimise the adverse impact of noise without placing unreasonable restrictions on development or adding unduly to the costs and administrative burdens of business. It builds upon the principles established in Circular 10/73 “Planning and Noise”, and takes account of the recommendations of the Noise Review Working Party which reported in October 1990 (HMSO, ISBN 0 11 752343 7). It outlines some of the main considerations which local planning authorities should take into account in drawing up development plan policies and when determining planning applications for development which will either generate noise or be exposed to existing noise sources.
General Principals
The impact of noise can be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The planning system has the task of guiding development to the most appropriate locations. It will be hard to reconcile some land uses, such as housing, hospitals or schools, with other activities which generate high levels of noise, but the planning system should ensure that, wherever practicable, noise-sensitive developments are separated from major sources of noise (such as road, rail and air transport and certain types of industrial development). It is equally important that new development involving noisy activities should, if possible, be sited away from noise-sensitive land uses. Development plans provide the policy framework within which these issues can be weighed but careful assessment of all these factors will also be required when individual applications for development are considered. Where it is not possible to achieve such a separation of land uses, local planning authorities should consider whether it is practicable to control or reduce noise levels, or to mitigate the impact of noise, through the use of conditions or planning obligations.
Reproduced under Crown Copyright from “Planning Policy Guidance 24: Planning and Noise” (1994), ISBN: 0 11 752924 9
