2015 Government response to media reports about noise complaints
On 2 February 2015 the Government published a response to media reports about noise complaints following the announcement by Kris Hopkins MP on 11 January 2015, that the government was intervening to protect landlords and music promoters from crippling costs associated with soundproofing their venues.
Community Secretary Eric Pickles MP said “In recent years, too many town halls have been over-zealous in trying to silence church bells and village clocks which have chimed for decades, if not centuries. We need some common sense about such long-standing community uses… my department has now issued new, clear guidance to councils that the local character of a place should be taken into account during noise disputes”.
The new guide suggests that noise needs to be considered when new developments may create additional noise and when new developments would be sensitive to the prevailing acoustic environment. It also points out that neither the Noise Policy Statement for England nor the National Planning Policy Framework (which reflects the Noise Policy Statement) expects noise to be considered in isolation, separately from the economic, social and other environmental dimensions of proposed development.
Guidance is provided about:
- How to determine the noise impact.
- Observed effect levels.
- How to recognise when noise could be a concern.
- What factors influence whether noise could be a concern.
- Enforcement action against a statutory nuisance.
- How the adverse effects of noise can be mitigated.
- Further considerations relating to mitigating the impact of noise on residential developments.
- Whether local plans include noise standards.
- Whether noise concerns are relevant to neighbourhood planning.
- What factors are relevant to identifying areas of tranquillity.
The guide suggests that noise sensitive developments might adopt mitigation measures which could include avoiding noisy locations; designing the development to reduce the impact of noise from the local environment; including noise barriers; and, optimising the sound insulation provided by the building envelope.
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.