The statutory planning guidance in relation to noise in England is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 24 - Planning and Noise
The guidance note states that:
- Wherever practicable, noise-sensitive developments should be separated from major sources of noise such as road, rail and air transport and certain types of industrial development
- New development involving noisy activities should, if possible, be sited away from noise-sensitive land uses
- Where it is not possible to achieve such a separation of land uses, local planning authorities should consider whether it is practicable to control or reduce noise levels, or to mitigate the impact of noise, through the use of conditions or planning obligations
- In the case of residential developments, the guidance note sets out Noise
Exposure Categories ranging from A to D, which are designed to help local planning authorities in their consideration of applications for development near transport-related noise sources.
Category A represents the circumstances in which noise is unlikely to be a determining factor, while Category D relates to the situation in which development should normally be refused. Categories B and C deal with situations where noise mitigation measures may make development acceptable.
PPG24 is due to be revised in the context of a forthcoming National Noise Strategy.