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UK environmental noise

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This Month's headlines

New roads programme slashes noise commitments

Government is boasting that it will spend £27bn on new roads - but in its new five year investment strategy it has removed the ring-fenced £75m intended to reduce noise. Noise important areas have been removed from target setting and household targets deferred to 2025.

Heat pump noise sinks New Forest development

A detached house in the New Forest has been refused planning permission due to heat pump noise.

Another midi-turbine causes long term headache

A turbine in Northern Ireland is the subject of a long running dispute that has dragged in councils, consultants and the courts. A resident has even used the Judicial Review process in a bid to force Mid Ulster council to silence the turbine.

Deeds of easement rejected at The Stables

A novel ‘deed of easement’ intended to prevent future occupants of housing near a music venue has been rejected by a planning inspector.

PDR ‘disgraceful’

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said: “The extension of this policy is truly disgraceful. There is no evidence that the planning system is to blame for the shortage of housing, and plenty to suggest that leaving local communities powerless in the face of developers seeking short-term returns will lead to poor results.

Permitted development rights challenge

A challenge has been made to government plans to further extend permitted development rights which reduce the need for planning permission. The changes come within a new consultation on updating the planning system.

PDR in Parliament

Permitted development rights relaxation has prompted questions of the Government in the House of Lords.

Housing near Cornish mine rejected

Housing near the South Crofty tin mine in Cornwall has been rejected at appeal as future residents’ complaints could constrain activity at the mine.

Noise mapping: Round 4 - could do better

Previous rounds of noise mapping were of limited use - but a future round could include useful and exciting functionality, a report concludes.

Population is bothered by noise

A large government travel attitudes survey suggests many are bothered by noise.

Higher trucks speeds not to blame for increase

A higher speed limit for trucks appears not to have made much difference to noise - but the study does reveal an ever-increasing impact from roads.

Welsh air policy impacts noise

Wales has finalised its air quality policy which contains much about noise. Wales joins up its air and noise policy through its integrated wellbeing policies.

City Airport pauses expansion

Expansion work at London City Airport has been paused as a result of lockdown restrictions and their impact on travel demand.

While Gatwick expansion continues....

Despite closure of one of its two terminals and a slump in traffic and profits, Gatwick Airport says it is continuing plans for expansion.

Bristol still seeks expansion

Bristol Airport is appealing against the council’s planning refusal for its expansion plans.

Salford offices rejected at appeal due to industrial noise

Sealed windows will not solve noise problems for proposed office to residential conversion in Salford, says a planning inspector.

More housing nuisance

The Housing Ombudsman’s annual report reveals increased noise nuisance.

Westminster cracks down on ‘pop up’ clubs

Westminster City Council has been tackling a rise in illegal, noisy, crowded parties and ‘pop up nightclubs’ across the capital, a trend that they believe will continue until licensed premises and nightclubs can reopen.

Airbnb tightens party house rules

Covid has finally led to tight restrictions on noisy parties in Airbnb properties. There have been growing complaints against use of short term let properties as party houses - an issue that has grown since pubs and clubs have been shut due to Covid lockdown.

Aviation impacts are badly handled, says Iccan

The way that aviation noise impacts are assessed, managed and mitigated is inconsistent and at times non-existent. As aviation starts to recover, noise management must be improved if the industry is going to have a sustainable future.

Protesters urge government to consider noise in aviation recovery policy

Airport campaigners have written to aviation minister, Kelly Tolhurst, asking her to provide details of the government’s intentions about policies on aircraft noise its aviation recovery plan post Covid.

Road noise linked to obesity risk

UK researchers believe road noise can increase the risk of weight gain.

Gatcom refuses to engage with CPRE

The Gatwick consultative committee (Gatcom) has refused to let CPRE sit on the committee.

New ANC guide on room sound

The Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) has produced a new document, offering guidance on the appropriate methods of measuring sound within a building.

Drone noise online

Quiet Drones conference will be held online on Monday 19th to Wednesday 21th October 2020

Noise loses out to economic imperatives

Plans for a new block of 203 apartments to be built in Newtown In Birmingham have been approved despite concerns being raised over potential noise levels from the surrounding area.

Infrasound from turbines ruled out in Finnish study

Finnish researchers have carried out a questionnaire study, with sound measurements, and provocation experiments conducted to consider infrasound from wind turbines.

Covid cuts ‘seismic’ noise from humans

There has been a 50% cut in seismic noise during the covid lockdown, say Aberdeen researchers.

Heathrow Covid quietening measured by consultant

Noise Consultants Ltd has assessed the impact of covid restrictions on noise round Heathrow Airport.

Noisy turbine re-consented with tough conditions

A small turbine with a large planning and noise nuisance history has been granted retrospective planning permission - with strong conditions.

Epuk annual conference

Environmental Protection UK has now finalised the speakers for its annual conference which includes noise.

Bracknell car wash refused

A car wash has been refused permission on noise grounds.