The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 47
3.47 City soundscapes are part of city culture. Enjoyment of historic open
spaces and buildings can be affected by noise. Cultural events, including
music, singing, and fireworks, can give joy to participants, though
sometimes annoy others. A voluntary ban on the sale of the noisiest ‘air
bombs’ to the public has been introduced, and the new Fireworks Act
2003, enables the Government to introduce additional regulations,
expected during 2004. 27 Most people will understand the positive role
that occasional outdoor events play in the lives of cities. New street
festivities or outdoor events can be better accepted when accompanied by
measures to build local understanding and, ideally, participation. Some
sound levels experienced in city festivities across the world risk physical
hearing damage, such as through highly percussive or impulsive sounds.
During consultation in preparation of the Cultural Strategy, some concern
was expressed at the impact of public entertainment licensing on
emerging artistic enterprises, particularly in small or low cost venues.
Research was suggested to establish the extent of the problem and
identify solutions. National licensing reform provides an opportunity to
consider new options, in particular to ensure that the cost of licences
fairly reflects public costs and does not discourage diversity and
innovation in cultural provision. Relevant issues, including the evening
economy, town centres, outdoor activities and leisure venues are
considered in Chapters 4F and 5 below, and in the London Plan.
3.48 While outdoor events may pose their own problems for noise control, the
converse may also be true. High ambient noise levels may interfere with
outdoor cultural activities and may even affect enclosed venues. Even
where an indoor event itself is not affected by external noise, high ambient
noise levels in the street may be off-putting to those wishing to attend.
More broadly, improving environmental sound quality has key links with
culture, including in education, music, sound art, museums and
exhibitions, interdisciplinary work on soundscapes, soundmarks and
soundwalks (see glossary), and community engagement. 28
Energy Strategy
3.49 The Mayor’s Energy Strategy seeks to reduce London’s contribution to
climate change through increases in energy efficiency and the proportion
of renewable energy, such as solar. It also seeks to eradicate fuel poverty,
so that Londoners can adequately heat their homes at an affordable cost,
and to secure jobs and economic development from improvements in
energy supply and use. A London Energy Partnership will help implement
this work across the capital.
3.50 The London Climate Change Partnership has commissioned a study of the
possible implications for London of future climate change. 29 Issues include