News from Noise and Nuisance policy teams

Presented by: Colette ClarkeHead of Neighbourhood Noise & Nuisance policy team

Date: 16th July 2013Event: CIEH East Midlands Councils seminar ‘Environmental Protection’

Outline

• Who we are and what the teams cover:– Environmental noise– Neighbour & neighbourhood noise and nuisance

• Current policy issues we’re working on

• Noise and nuisance – scope for assisting growth

• Concluding remarks

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Defra Noise & Nuisance Teams

Head of Atmosphere and Local Environment ProgrammeDaniel Instone

Head of Environmental Noise

Tania Plahay(part-time)

Deputy Head of Environmental Noise Jenny Keating

(part-time)

Policy adviser Claire Herdman –

Head of Neighbour Noise & Statutory NuisanceColette Clarke

Policy Adviser Martin Woolhead

Head of Noise & Nuisance Technical & Evidence Team Stephen Turner

Technical Adviser Hilary Notley

(part-time)

Technical Adviser Yvette Hood

Head of Atmosphere andLocal Environment

Programme Science and Evidence Team

Tim Williamson

6.8 FTE’s

Defra – noise and nuisance policy

• European legislation (Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC)

• Primarily noise from transport

• Noise mapping• Action Plans (including

quiet areas)• Noise and health• International issues

• Domestic legislation (e.g., Environmental Protection Act 1990)

• Neighbour noise (e.g., shouting, TV, music, footsteps)

• Neighbourhood noise (e.g., from pubs, wind turbines, construction)

• Artificial light and light pollution• Other nuisances – odours,

accumulations, smoke/steam, dust, fumes/gases, insects

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Environmental Noise Neighbourhood Noise & other sources of Nuisance

Government policy on noise: Noise Policy Statement for England

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Noise Policy Statement for England (2)

Defra seeks to affect the noise environment through influencing others to consider and reflect the NPSE in policy and decision making. This includes: o Raising awareness through research, briefings,

presentationso Working with other government departments as

they formulate policyo Working with key interest groupso Working with the Devolved Administrations, in the

EU and Internationally

Other drivers for our work

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• Natural Environment White Paper– commitments on quiet areas and artificial light

• Red Tape Challenge commitments – removing unnecessary or burdensome regulations

• Evidence base - our own and others’ research: – National Noise Attitude Survey results (1st in 10 years): due later this year; how

noise and types of noise affect public– Exposure data (monitoring and mapping); – Complaint data surveys (CIEH); – Monetised cost of noise and nuisances; impact assessments– Effects of noise (e.g., on health, wellbeing)– Ways of getting better evidence/information: very limited research budget; no

mandatory monitoring (unlike air quality)

• Economic growth agenda – how managing noise and nuisance can help

Working with other government departments

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• Cabinet Office– Red Tape Challenge and Better Regulation initiatives; Wellbeing

• Dept for Transport• Road, rail and air transport

• Dept Communities and Local Government• National Planning Policy Framework and Taylor review of planning guidance;

Building Regulations and sound insulation; Housing standards (noise as a Category II Hazard); Extending Permitted Development Rights for micro-renewables

• Department of Health– Public Health Outcomes Framework; noise as an indicator

• Dept Energy and Climate Change• Wind farms, micro-renewables

• Dept Culture Media and Sport• Entertainment Licensing

• Home Office• Licensing; Powers of Entry Review (Protection of Freedoms Act); Antisocial

behaviour reforms

Consultation on Noise Action Plans• The Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) requires Member States to:

o Produce strategic noise mapso Adopt noise action planso Make information available to the public

• Second round of noise mapping was completed in 2012.• Defra is preparing the second round action plans, covering road, railways and

agglomerations (large urban areas).• The action plans are designed to manage environmental noise and its effects,

including noise reduction if necessary, and preservation of existing areas of quiet in agglomerations.

• The action plans will describe how Important Areas (noise ‘hotspots’) for road and railway sources will be identified.

• Will also provide further details on the process for identifying and managing quiet areas in agglomerations.

• Due to consult on the draft action plans this summer and would welcome your views.

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PHOF Noise Indicator

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• Indicator 1.14 ‘The percentage of the population affected by noise’ – covers:

o 1.14i - Number of complaints per year per local authority about noise per thousand population.

o 1.14ii – The proportion of the population exposed to transport noise.

We estimate that Local Authorities in England receive an average of 1,100 complaints about noise per day at a cost per complaint of anything from around £200 up to around £7000 depending on the situation

National Planning Policy Framework and guidance

• Noise and light both explicitly mentioned in NPPF – recognition of importance of managing impact of noise and light pollution

• Detailed guidance notes removed; number of concerns

• Taylor Review of Guidance has recommended updated guidance on noise and new guidance on light

• Also set out ‘rules’ for guidance: brief, easy to understand and not prescriptive

• DCLG lead on planning policy – Defra working closely with them to develop noise and light pollution guidance

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Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill • Bill now being debated in Parliament• Part 4 - Community Protection Notices

– to stop persistent, unreasonable behaviour that is detrimental to the amenity of the locality or is having a negative impact on the local community’s quality of life

– Replacing number of existing orders relating to environmental ASB including Litter Clearing Notice, Street Litter Clearing Notice, Graffiti/Defacement Removal Notice

– to deal with noise disturbance, particularly if occurring in conjunction with other anti-social behaviour

– Draft Bill makes clear that noise disturbances that meet requirements of statutory nuisance regime should be dealt with using that process

• Home Office now seeking input from practitioners to help draft guidance

• Intention for draft guidance to be available in time for Report Stage of the Bill (likely to be in the autumn).

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Light pollution

• We recently published an information leaflet called ‘Getting Light Right’.

• It’s designed to clearly and simply inform consumers how to install their security lights effectively to reduce light pollution and nuisance.

• It was jointly written with Campaign to Protect Rural England, Campaign for Dark Skies and the Institution of Lighting Professionals.

• It’s been distributed through the British Retail Consortium and is available on the Knowledge Hub and the Gov.uk website.

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Noise and nuisance - assisting growth

• Managing noise and nuisance can potentially reduce public expenditure – but other economic benefits?

• Planning guidance; better decisions – prevention better than cure

• Light pollution; Dark Sky Status boosts tourism

• Tyre labelling; info on rolling noise – allows consumer choice

• Quiet Mark – increasing demand for quieter products

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Quiet Mark

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• Quiet Mark is accreditation scheme for quiet products designed to reach out to high street consumers.

• It makes consumers aware of the choice theyhave when buying appliances: a healthier, lessstressed lifestyle if they ’buy quiet’.

• The accreditation recognises excellence in thedesign of quieter everyday machines and appliances.

• Businesses have used this accreditation asa real and unique selling point; supportersinclude Lexus, Corinthia Hotels, Rockwool, 20th Century Fox, Electrolux and Phillips.

• It is a Noise Abatement Society initiative.

Concluding remarks

• There is a lot going on – many government initiatives that impact on management of noise and nuisance

• Appreciate feedback from practitioners; responses to consultations, Knowledge Hub

• Data is key to making decisions • Noise can also be ‘exploited’ for economic and

societal benefits: Govt keen to support initiatives that allow for this – any examples?

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Thank You

noise@defra.gsi.gov.uk

www.gov.uk/government/policies/protecting-and-enhancing-our-urban-and-natural-environment-to-improve-public-health-and-wellbeing

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