The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

136 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
for teacher communication and pupil concentration. A study has recently
been published concerning West London 31 , and further studies are being
carried out. 32 Acoustic improvements are taking place at number of
schools around Heathrow, and the Government’s Air Transport White
Paper commends certain measures. 33
policy 46
The Mayor urges the Government to produce guidance, such as through
review of Planning Policy Guidance Note 24, on the use of ‘worst mode’
aircraft noise contours in assessing the need for building insulation or
other mitigation for noise-sensitive uses, and to ensure the provision of
necessary funding, in the context of the ‘polluter pays’ principle, where
appropriate and cost-effective.
4C.38 Several Noise Insulation Schemes have been implemented at Heathrow,
the most recent being a voluntary scheme offered by the airport operator
for housing and schools. A scheme is also being implemented at London
City Airport, where homes are eligible for sound insulation at lower levels
than at any other airport in the UK. Funding has been through the
‘polluter pays’ principle. Offers of noise insulation, notably secondary
acoustic glazing, have typically been made, mainly for living rooms and
bedrooms. If residents wish to have new full replacement double glazed
windows, they may pay the difference. The basic package offered has
typically included a simple forced air ventilation system with baffles against
noise penetration. Since noise insulation schemes were first implemented,
popular expectations as to ‘whole house living’ raise the question as to
whether restricting insulation to certain rooms should be reviewed. A more
flexible hierarchy of measures might be appropriate, (see Appendix A7),
although administrative costs need consideration. Although measures to
insulate against noise are not the same as those to improve thermal
insulation, many works designed for one also have benefits for the other.
Hence, it is clearly desirable to seek to integrate measures which address
fuel poverty, save energy, have climate change benefits, and reduce noise,
taking account of other noise sources where necessary 34 .
policy 47
The Mayor will urge the Government to assess the particular noise
characteristics associated with potential changes in aircraft fleet mix and
technology, and produce updated projections of aircraft noise impact in
areas affected by Heathrow Airport, with particular reference to the final
approach glidepaths across London. Consideration should be given to a
new Noise Insulation Scheme, incorporating a flexible hierarchy of
measures for cost-effective protection of a wider range of properties.
Work should, wherever possible, be integrated across different noise
sources, and with fuel poverty and climate change-related measures.