The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

178 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
other uses and reducing noise. Car free developments can be designed
and marketed as havens of relative tranquillity.
4F.21 Urban vitality can be achieved with different degrees and types of mix - it
is ready access to local facilities and a rich urban texture which are
important. 19 These can be obtained without ‘cheek by jowl’ mixing of uses
which have the most conflicting demands for buzz or quiet.
‘Pepperpotting’ of late night bars, restaurants and clubs, and poorly
insulated flat conversions, invites conflict, particularly where they share
adjoining structure, or the same otherwise quiet street or rear area. The
degree and type of mix sought or permitted should be related to the
specific characteristics of the local building fabric, 20 including how
suitably it can be adapted. Local planning and area development
frameworks can seek to identify suitable locations for late night activities
while maintaining quieter conditions for housing in most of the area. 21
4F.22 The need for effective premises-focused measures to tackle noise at source
is well-established. 22 However, it is much harder to protect residents from
noise in the street, such as from exuberant revellers leaving entertainment
premises late at night. Staggering of closing times and operator good
practice may reduce street noise, but cannot solve all problems. Larger,
youth-oriented late night venues will typically be best located where users
can access transport most quickly, and where effective acoustic
screening/separation from existing or prospective housing exists or can be
achieved (see box 53). Some element of zoning or clustering will, of course,
be easier to achieve in town centres undergoing land use change than in
established areas like the West End. In any event, enhanced area
management is also likely to be required. Several recent reports 23 have
recommended an area management approach. A recent report for the GLA 24
also suggested Entertainment Management Zones - areas including
entertainment venues and other elements of the evening economy,
designated by boroughs in their UDPs, in which planning, licensing,
policing, transport and street management issues would be managed and
co-ordinated. Such approaches are likely to be focused in central London,
City fringe areas and town centres (see Policy 3D.4 and paragraph 3.236 of
the London Plan). Designation needs to be handled with great care,
particularly for established pockets of housing. The planning system should
aim to reduce uncertainty regarding the noise environment, for existing and
potential residents and businesses alike. The concept is a natural extension
of town centre management, an already established and proven practice.
Reform of alcohol and entertainment-related licensing in England and Wales
has given rise to a range of concerns. 25 26 27 Many stakeholders consider that
the Licensing Act 2003 could mean rapid growth in late opening, but that
resources might not be available for the extra cleansing, police, transport,