Noise Maps and House Building – potential
future influence on planning and design
Peter Hepworth
Tuesday 31st October 2006
Sustainable New Homes and Sound Insulation, Birmingham
Outline
• Why are Noise Maps required;
• What are Noise Maps and Action Plans;
• Timescales;
• What will the impact on House Builders be?
Why are Noise Maps required
• EC Green Paper on Future Noise Policy (1996)
• Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC
• The Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006;
• English implementation of the END;
• Came in to force on 1st October 2006;
• Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland introducing separate Regulations;
What are Noise Maps
• Cover Road, Rail, Aircraft and Industrial Noise;
• Maps for ‘agglomerations’, major roads, major railways and major airports;
• 5 year cycle of noise maps;
• Definition of agglomeration, major road and major railway changes for 2nd round
of mapping;
• Used to provide information for Noise Action Plans.
What are Noise Action Plans?
• Noise maps provide data but plans required for action;
• Plans required to ‘manage noise issues and effects, including noise reduction if
necessary’;
• ‘Measures within the plans are at the discretion of the competent authorities’;
• Plans required for major roads, major railways, major airports and
agglomerations;
• Agglomeration plans also to protect quiet areas against an increase in noise;
• Competent authorities.
Timescales
• Single source Noise Maps by 30 June 2007;
• Limit values/criteria for assessment of priorities by 18 July 2007;
• Consolidated Noise Maps by 1 October 2007;
• Noise Action Plans by 18 July 2008;
• Action Plans procedure must include public consultation;
• Reviewed every 5 years, or sooner if major development affects noise situation;
Impact on House Builders
• Uses of Noise Maps by General Public;
• Uses of Noise Maps by Local Authorities;
• Strategic Planning;
• Detailed Planning;
• Easier for local authorities to assess the need for a detailed noise assessment;
Impact on House Builders
• Possible opportunities for House Builders;
• Contribution towards noise mitigation measures;
• Development in areas currently outside guideline values;
• Currently no new funding has been announced for mitigation works;
• Developer funding could assist existing and proposed housing.
Conclusions
• Noise Maps will provide a more informed public and planning authority;
• The results will be fed in to the strategic choice of housing sites;
• Some sites may become easier to develop because of Noise Action Plans;
• Some sites may become easier to develop because of developer funding of
mitigation works;
• Detailed assessments may require reworking of existing noise maps.
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