The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

106 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
may be particularly appropriate in such locations. Mono-pitch roofs can
enhance the barrier effect of garage blocks, workshops and other low-rise
buildings. Development which provides occupants with a ‘quiet side’ away
from a busier railway is generally to be preferred to development at right
angles to the tracks, where both sides of the building would be equally
noisy. Self-protecting development should, however, still maintain
visibility by adjacent occupiers, to help discourage crime and vandalism.
Sound absorbing finishes should be considered for larger and longer
lineside buildings to reduce reflection back towards any noise-sensitive
buildings or open spaces on the opposite side of the railway. Noise
mapping provides opportunities to demonstrate screening benefits to
existing residents. Planning Policy Guidance Note 24 ‘Planning and
Noise’, Department of the Environment, 1994 provides a framework, and
chapter 4F below considers planning and design in more detail. Noise will
be considered alongside other issues in Supplementary Planning Guidance
on Sustainable Design and Construction, prepared in association with the
London Plan.
4B.19 The Mayor’s Transport Strategy recognises that car parking at stations
may have a role in making rail an attractive option (Policy 4E.3). Car
parking structures could provide opportunities to improve screening of
railway noise from local neighbourhoods. Development over railway
stations, tracks or depots provides opportunities to reduce noise in
surrounding areas, as well as contributing to London’s needs for more
housing, commercial and amenity space. Such development could improve
local public transport interchange, and contribute to local urban
renaissance. Bridging and enclosing development will need good urban
design, and structure-borne vibration will, of course, need to be
addressed, along with construction disturbance, safety,
daylighting/sunlighting, maintenance, visual design, historic building and
conservation issues, and environmental issues. Lineside biodiversity
should be respected (see the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy regarding railside
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation).
policy 22
The Mayor will urge the Strategic Rail Authority and the rail industry, and
will expect Transport for London, in partnership with local planning
authorities and other stakeholders, and taking particular account of
biodiversity, visual design, listed building and conservation area issues, to:
■ Examine the cost-effective scope for promoting development over
suitable railway stations or tracks, especially those in cutting, taking
account of potential net noise benefits; and
■ Seek design of new development near railways which screens or
otherwise minimises noise.