Planning Advice Note 1/2011: planning and noise

Introduction

1. This Planning Advice Note ( PAN) provides advice on the role of the planning system in helping to prevent and limit the adverse effects of noise. It supersedes Circular 10/1999 Planning and Noise and PAN 56 Planning and Noise. Information and advice on noise impact assessment ( NIA) methods is provided in the associated Technical Advice Note. It includes details of the legislation, technical standards and codes of practice for specific noise issues.

2. The PAN promotes the principles of good acoustic design and a sensitive approach to the location of new development. It promotes the appropriate location of new potentially noisy development, and a pragmatic approach to the location of new development within the vicinity of existing noise generating uses, to ensure that quality of life is not unreasonably affected and that new development continues to support sustainable economic growth. Environmental Health Officers and/or professional acousticians should be involved at an early stage in development proposals which are likely to have significant adverse noise impacts or be affected by existing noisy developments.

3. The Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006 transposed the European Directive 2002/49/EC (the Environmental Noise Directive) into Scottish law. The Regulations affect large urban areas; major transport corridors and major airports. They require Scottish Ministers and airport authorities to manage noise through a process of strategic noise mapping and noise action plans. In the areas affected by the Regulations, planning authorities have a role in helping to prevent and limit the adverse effects of environmental noise. Areas affected by the Regulations can be seen on the Scottish Noise Mapping website.