Current parliamentary and policy news

The start of the summer sees several consultations on planning policy impacting the marine environment – as the UK Government, Scotland and Ireland advance planning reforms intended to accelerate development of renewable energy – all of which have implications for aspects of acoustics. A much anticipated draft BS 8233 for sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings has also been published for comment – giving members with an interest in policy development plenty to get to grips with.

Above: A draft revised National Policy Statement for Ports has been published for consultation, as part of the Government’s ongoing reform of infrastructure planning

Consultation on BS 8233 – standard for noise reduction for buildings
BSi have published their redraft of BS 8233 standard for sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings. This standard gives guidance on levels of sound indoors and the type and character of the sound to provide internal acoustic environments appropriate to their functions. It deals with control of noise from outside a building, noise from plant and services within it and room acoustics for non-critical situations. The draft takes into account changes to the legislative framework since the current standard was published in 2014. Noted in particular are the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) Act (Wales) 2024 and the 2018 World Health Organization Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European region. It applies to the design of new buildings, or redesign or refurbishment of existing buildings, and includes those undergoing a change of use. The IOA is convening a working group to respond to the consultation, which is open until 6 August 2025. View and respond to the consultation by creating an account. 

Consultation: National Policy Statement for Ports
A draft revised National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP) has been published for consultation, as part of the Government’s ongoing reform of infrastructure planning. Announcing the consultation, the Department for Transport stated: ‘...updated proposals will more clearly outline how ports can meet obligations on noise and emissions, increasing the likelihood of achieving successful planning approvals and saving time and money during the planning process.’ The statement applies to all ports in England, Milford Haven in Wales and associated road and rail links. As in the current NPSP, it covers principles for assessing noise and vibration. The consultation is open until 29 July 2025. Any members with experience in the sector are invited to contribute to our response by email at parliament@ioa.org.uk
https://tinyurl.com/NPSPamends

Scottish Government consulting on offshore wind
The Scottish Government are now consulting on a draft updated plan for the siting of offshore wind turbines. The impact assessments supporting the plan cover potential noise impacts of offshore wind development – including noise from transport, ports and impacts on marine life. The stated aims of the proposals are to ‘...use the latest data and scientific evidence to inform decisions on energy developments – such as how projects will impact wildlife and nature; ensure the environmental, social, economic opportunities and constraints from offshore projects are clearly set out to help inform decision making...’ The consultation is open until 22 August 2025. https://tinyurl.com/offshorewindenergy

Ireland: Consultation on marine planning policy
The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in Ireland have undertaken a public consultation on their first statutory Marine Planning Policy Statement (MPPS). This is a step towards formalising Ireland’s marine planning framework under the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act). Ireland’s first MPPS was published in 2019, as a guiding document for marine planning until the MAP Act established a legal framework. The new draft MPPS aims to set out strategic principles for marine planning and highlight key priorities for managing maritime activities, including those that generate noise. The Strategic Environmental Assessment covers aspects of noise and states that in European waters ‘Underwater noise and other energy inputs (i.e. from shipping, renewable energy, hydrocarbon extractions and military activities)...are expected to continue increasing, due to the level of human activity, which is expected to increase as development continues.’ You can read the draft MPPS here https://tinyurl.com/MPPSIreland

Comments on consultation on energy infrastructure planning
In responding to the Government consultation on revisions to National Policy Statements (NPS) for energy infrastructure, the IOA have stated that the proposed changes to the NPSs look to promote good practice in the assessment of noise and vibration, with additions making a clear contribution where additional source specific requirements are provided. The consultation includes a new section covering onshore wind turbines, which on the whole, we welcome as clear and helpful. We have proposed amendments on a few specific points. These include wording in 5.11 of EN-1, which we believe should be in section 5.12 (Noise and Vibration), which refers to ‘ground-transmitted low- frequency noise from wind turbines’. We believe that this wording should include vibration and infrasound. A new footnote 116 provides the ability for the Government to update ETSU-R-97 in the future if policy needs amending, which is a pragmatic solution to future-proofing the document. An additional footnote 118 continues to support ‘A good practice guide to the application of ETSU-R 97 for the assessment and rating of wind turbine noise by the Institute of Acoustics (2013)’ as recognised government guidance, which is welcomed. We suggest that flexibility for an update is also provided for the IOA guidance. See our full response here https://www.ioa.org.uk/publications/response-consultations

Airspace changes aim to reduce noise
Changes were laid in Parliament in May, enabling a major redesign of UK airspace. One of the stated aims of this change is ‘to increase capacity alongside reducing emissions per flight and the impact of noise.’ Announcing the changes, the UK Government stated ‘Redesigned ‘skyways’ could also allow planes to climb quicker during take-off and descend more smoothly, reducing noise and air pollution for residents who live along flight routes.’ A new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will be fully operational by the end of 2025 and run by NATS (En Route) plc (NERL). London’s airspace will be the initial priority and over a longer timeframe, the UKADS could design routes supporting flight paths for technologies such as drones and flying taxis. Heathrow’s Chief Operating Officer, Javier Echave, said: “As the UK’s gateway to growth, we are committed to continue working with the government to unlock the economic benefits of an expanded UK airspace, while cutting carbon and noise impacts.”

Inquiry into airport expansion, climate and nature targets
The IOA submitted evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry on airport expansion and climate and nature targets. In our evidence we support the continued application of the Noise Policy Statement England as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, stating that in our experience the policy works well. We urged the committee to support its continued use with respect to any aviation-related expansion, but taking account of the further existing regulations and policy that necessarily relate to the complex national and international context of aviation noise. A number of the 54 submissions made refer to noise impacts, notably evidence from the Noise Abatement Society, UK Noise Association and groups representing residents around regional airports. In an oral evidence session in Parliament, the No 3rd Runway Coalition and The Noise Abatement Society put their views on the noise impacts of airport expansion policies. Read the IOA evidence here https://tinyurl.com/IOAevidence. Read all submitted evidence here https://tinyurl.com/allevidenceavailable

Wales: Sound improvements suggested to improve school meal uptake
In their consultation on promoting healthy eating in schools, the Welsh Government acknowledge the importance of a suitable acoustic environment in encouraging children to eat school meals. One measure suggested to improve uptake is ‘Reducing noise by introducing soft furnishings, sound absorption boards and playing music.’

Guernsey to introduce noise level for exhausts
To address long standing public concerns about noise from vehicles, the States of Guernsey are introducing legislation to prohibit alterations to vehicle exhaust systems that increase noise. Following agreement of the measure, new laws are to be drafted, including looking at introducing decibel limits and other potential measures to try and tackle noisy vehicles. The States committed resources towards investigating the feasibility and practicalities of using agreed decibel limits and will look at bringing in new regulations to create a criminal offence if someone were to drive a vehicle that exceeded any agreed limits, which would be measured by a stationary test. Read more here https://www.gov.gg/Noisyvehiclepolicylettermrl

Questions on noise from vehicles in Parliament
Noise from vehicles and modified exhausts are a regular topic of questions from MPs in Parliament. In recent weeks questions have been asked about noisy cars and motorbikes and noise cameras by Gregory Stafford, MP for Farnham and Bordon, Lord Berkley, Callum Miller MP, Bicester and Woodstock and Lord Truscott. The Government response is that following roadside trials of noise cameras in 2022-23, they “continue to keep a keen interest in the technology. However, it is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be within their area, based on their knowledge of the issue locally. The Department has limited means for influencing local decision making on enforcement priorities.”

Mary Stevens