The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

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The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 173 completion testing. However, pre-completion testing was not to be introduced immediately for new houses and flats. This was to allow the House Builders’ Federation time to develop ‘Robust Standard Details’ - for designs which were to perform consistently well so that they would not need routine testing. Government consultation on ‘Robust Standard Details’ as an alternative to pre-completion testing ended in November 2003. 8 Concerns remain as to the reliability of relying only on set forms of construction. Establishing and retaining consumer confidence is considered likely to require some element of on-going, on-site testing. If alternative forms of compliance with the Building Regulations are allowed, the purchaser needs to be provided with an approved non-technical explanation of the difference between the alternatives, together with advice on what action may be taken if a deficiency is suspected. 4F.11 Improvements in the existing poorly insulated housing stock across London are also needed. A new Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is being prepared. 9 This would replace the existing concept of ‘unfit’ housing, and be broader ranging. Local authorities will be able to assess hazards from noise but it is not clear how effective the system will be in achieving improvements. The Government has also adopted a target to bring all social housing up to a ‘Decent Homes’ standard by 2010. 10 However, this includes ‘adequate noise insulation against external noise (where external noise is a problem)’ - not referring to internal insulation - and is only among options for improvement. A dwelling could be defined as decent because of other characteristics and still be unsatisfactory in noise terms in 2010. Landlords can carry out work falling outside the standard, and, under new housing renewal arrangements, authorities have been promised discretion in allocating housing resources. However, there is a risk that the importance of both internal and external noise problems may not receive sufficient recognition. In the London context, given the enormous pressures on housing, there is a strong argument for specific ‘quiet homes’ initiatives, including targeting of dwelling improvements and sensitive allocation processes, to open up new opportunities to vulnerable people who currently lack choice. 4F.12 Consistent London-wide information is not available on installation of purpose-designed noise insulation measures in homes, or other buildings. Information on thermal insulation in London’s homes is shown in the following table. Thermal insulation typically offers some noise benefits, but design specifications for effective thermal and acoustic glazing, for example, differ significantly.
174 Mayor of London The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Table 4 Thermal insulation in Greater London homes 11 All Owner Council Private households occupied rented rented % % % % With thermal double glazing 46 58 37 25 With thermal draught proofing 24 20 37 18 source: National Energy Action, The London Assembly and Fuel Poverty, 2000 (GfK Marketing Services, 1997). 4F.13 Upgrading London’s social housing offers opportunities to reduce noise exposure without net losses in housing capacity. Area regeneration programmes could include measures to reduce traffic noise, encourage cycling and walking, upgrade windows, increase noise screening, and reduce reverberation in high density courtyards. The Mayor’s Energy Strategy proposes an independent London Energy Partnership which could implement a London Fuel Poverty Programme. Noise measures need, as far as possible, to be integrated with action on fuel poverty and energy efficiency. It is important that ‘equality of access to quiet’ is sought in relevant planning negotiations, avoiding situations in which, for example, social rented and affordable housing within a larger development is used as a noise screen for open market or higher income housing. 4F.14 Good acoustic conditions are particularly important for children’s concentration and learning, including when acquiring language skills. Many children may be affected by temporary hearing difficulties, in addition to those with more severe hearing impairment. Studies by Professor Bridget Shield at South Bank University and Julie Dockrell at the Institute of Education, BRE and others 12 have drawn attention to poor classroom acoustics and associated problems. Many schools suffer from high levels of internally generated noise, including ‘crosstalk’ from competing activities, as well as noise from road, rail, aircraft and other external sources. Temporary classrooms or buildings of lightweight construction with large areas of glazing may be especially vulnerable. 4F.15 Population projections for the London Plan indicate a significant growth in the capital’s school age population, of both primary and secondary ages, over the period to 2016. Some new schools may be provided in association with large new housing development, such as in Thames Gateway. In other cases, school extensions may be needed. It is important that the planning system identifies sites with suitable noise environments, and that opportunities are taken, when expanding or extending existing
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