The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

74 Mayor of London
The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy
Department of the Environment, 1994 provides a framework. Chapter 4F
(particularly paragraphs 4F.23 -27 on ‘sound-conscious urban design’)
considers planning and design in more detail.
policy 10
The Mayor will urge boroughs to consider including, in their Unitary
Development Plans or other mechanisms, proposals to enhance the noise
screening provided by roadside development, having regard to benefits
for the wider area. Noise reduction in the wider neighbourhood should be
taken into account by local planning authorities in assessing design in
applications for development alongside or over roads. Decked or bridging
development is most likely to be acceptable where roads are below
adjacent ground levels.
proposal 7 Transport for London will, and boroughs should, work with stakeholders
and developers of roadside land and buildings, to take opportunities to
minimise noise. Elements include:
■ Considering seeking developer contributions to the cost of noise
reduction measures, notably where this would enable more intensive
development;
■ Taking account of noise in design of roadside development, such as
potential for noise screening; and
■ Assessing whether there are practical opportunities for development
over suitable roads, taking account of potential safety, maintenance,
air pollution, visual amenity and other issues.
Building insulation
4A.33 If reducing noise at source is the first priority, and screening the second,
building insulation has generally been seen as the measure ‘of last resort’
- to be considered only where other action cannot be effective. Building
insulation does not, of course, protect gardens and other external spaces
from noise. Many people want to be able to open windows without being
disturbed. However, where it is not possible, for whatever reason, to
reduce external noise sufficiently, good building insulation can provide
high levels of protection.
4A.34 The Noise Insulation Regulations, made under the Land Compensation
Act 1973, are based on the principle that noise from existing roads is
already known, and reflected in property values. New roads may not have
been expected by existing property owners, who may be eligible for
compensation (see Appendix A7). Current legislation does not provide for
offers of building insulation where traffic increases on an existing road, as
opposed to a new or widened road, or simply where existing noise
exposure is considered too high, and other measures would not deliver
sufficient noise reduction. The preparation of a National Ambient Noise