The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 233
activities which are noise-sensitive, but also that they are likely to occupy
sizeable sites and to contain a proportion of buildings and activities which
are less noise-sensitive. It advises that internal noise standards in respect
of each activity be used. For recreational and sporting activities
(including open air pop concerts): ‘the local planning authority will have
to take account of how frequently the noise will be generated and how
disturbing it will be, and balance the enjoyment of the participants
against nuisance to other people’.
Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 ‘Housing’ March 2000
PPG 3 promotes developments which combine a mix of land uses,
including housing, either on a site or within individual buildings, such as
flats over shops. It advises that this is important to bring new life into our
towns and cities, and states that ‘new housing and residential
environments should be well designed and should make a significant
contribution to promoting urban renaissance and improving the quality of
life.’ Local planning authorities should ‘provide for more intensive housing
development in and around existing centres and close to public transport
routes’ and ‘identify and bring back into use empty housing, vacant
commercial buildings and upper floors above shops.’
Planning Policy Guidance Note 4 ‘Industrial and Commercial
Development and Small Firms’ November 1992
PPG4 states that plans ‘should provide specifically for the types of
industry which, although necessary, may be detrimental to amenity or a
potential source of pollution... plans should however ensure that
development by such industries is separated from sensitive land uses.’ On
the other hand, PPG4 advises that ‘many businesses can be carried
residential areas without causing unacceptable disturbance through
increased traffic, noise, pollution or other adverse effects.’ However, it
recognises that ‘juxtaposition of incompatible uses can cause problems for
the occupiers both of the new and of the existing development. For
example, where residential development is proposed in the vicinity of
existing industrial uses, the expectations of the residents may exceed the
standards applied by the planning authority, and may give rise to pressure
to curtail the industrial use.’
Planning Policy Guidance Note 6 ‘Town centres and retail
development’ June 1996 (Consultation draft of new statement issued,
December 2003).
PPG6 sets out an approach to sustaining and enhancing the vitality and
viability of town centres, encouraging mixed-use development and an
increase in housing in town centres. It states that it may be appropriate
for development plans ‘to designate areas of the town centre for retaining