Current parliamentary and policy news

Over the past weeks the IOA has continued to advocate for clear noise policy guidance to protect health in accordance with the Noise Policy Statement England, as Government reforms to strategic planning policy take shape.

Our Irish Branch broadly welcome redrafted guidance for environmental noise assessment and in Parliament, ministerial support is expressed for updating testing methodology for noise from outdoor equipment to protect access to EU markets.

England: proposed land use strategy needs clear noise policy
In responding to the Government consultation on a strategic national approach to land use in England, IOA emphasised the need for clear policy guidance to ensure environmental noise is properly assessed. With large scale noise developments proposed – including 1.5 million homes, energy and transport infrastructure, this would allow for properly planned mitigation to avoid significant effects and to minimise adverse effects of noise on health and quality of life, in accordance with the Noise Policy Statement for England. We also propose that measures must be taken to protect tranquil areas with high amenity value, so that the high-quality soundscapes they provide continue to deliver health benefits. Our response also highlights the role of environmental health practitioners in supporting local planning authorities who would need sufficient resourcing to enable them to provide necessary advice on noise that will prevent health impacts arising.

Read the full response here: https://www.ioa.org.uk/publications/response-consultations

Ireland: Response to noise guidance (NG4) consultation
In responding to a consultation on revised guidance for assessing environmental noise – the IOA Irish Branch commended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for providing a comprehensive draft guidance document. The Branch emphasised the importance of the NG4 in maintaining environmental standards while supporting sustainable industrial development for EPA license holders. Comments include concerns raised about the appropriateness of smartphone apps as suggested for subjective assessment, stating these are not suitable for measuring or assessing environmental noise, as only competent persons should be completing noise impact and compliance assessments. The inclusion of increased competency requirements is welcomed as critical to producing high-quality assessments and reports that can be relied upon.

See all comments in the full response here: https://www.ioa.org.uk/publications/response-consultations

Minister supports updated regulation on testing methods for outdoor equipment noise
During the second reading of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, acknowledged the need for regulation on equipment noise stating: “The Bill will ensure that the UK is better placed to address modern-day safety issues... It will enable us to reduce burdens on business and keep up with technological developments, for example by updating the outdoor noise regulations in Great Britain. It will align testing methods across the UK, which was overwhelmingly supported in our recent call for evidence, and it will protect the public from noise pollution from products like lawn mowers and power generators.” The Bill is set to provide enabling powers allowing the Government to update outdoor equipment noise regulations in line with recent EU updates. In responding to a call for evidence in autumn 2024, IOA expressed the view that maintaining alignment with EU regulations is crucial for preserving EU market access and preventing migration of testing expertise, along with scope to enhance these requirements through adoption of additional measurement methods and standards.

Read the transcript of the debate here: https://tinyurl.com/JRdebatetranscript

Consultation: National Policy Statement for nuclear generation
A consultation has been undertaken on a new National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation for England and Wales, as part of the ongoing review of planning policy. This follows a consultation last year on an approach to site assessment for nuclear energy. The draft consultation states “While significant noise, vibration, or air quality issues are unlikely during operation, construction-related transport may have local impacts.”

Noise is covered in detail in the Appraisal of Sustainability (https://tinyurl.com/nuclearEN). The consultation ran until 3 April 2025 (https://tinyurl.com/draftEN7)

Above: Acoustic alerts have been discussed as an important potential safety measure for e-scooters if their use in public places is to be made legal

Guidance on applications for linear infrastructure projects
Guidance has been published on preparing applications for linear nationally significant infrastructure projects. This advice, covering England and Wales, focuses on electric lines, gas transporter and other pipelines, the transfer of water resources and onshore transmission works included as associated development to offshore wind generating stations. Much of the advice is also applicable to roads and railways and the advice will be updated as different project types appear (https://tinyurl.com/linearprojects).

Call for evidence on impacts of airport expansion
The Environmental Audit Committee have issued a call for evidence on ‘Airport expansion and climate and nature targets’. This aims to establish the targets which Ministers ought to ensure are met under its policy to support airport expansion. This includes examining to what extent the provisions of the current Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) (which specifies the mitigation of adverse impacts on health and quality of life from noise) are supported by current evidence and projections on aviation growth. The enquiry accepted written evidence until 24 April 2025 and the IOA considered its response.

See the call for evidence here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9061/

Gatwick airport expansion decision delayed
In February the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, announced she was “minded to approve” the operation of a second runway at Gatwick airport, however a final decision is being delayed to allow additional time to seek views from all parties on planning provisions. The Planning Inspectorate initially advised against approval, however measures to address noise and surface transport problems have been put forward to manage the issues identified. The deadline for a final decision is 27 October 2025.

Read the Planning Inspectorate report here: https://tinyurl.com/Gatwicknrunway and the Government Statement here: https://tinyurl.com/Gatwicktransportplanning

Noise reduction targets for Europe recommended
A report by the European Court of Auditors has found that while European cities have cleaner air, they are still too noisy. The report states it proved difficult to assess progress made in reducing noise pollution – mainly due to gaps and delays in assessing and reporting on noise pollution by most EU member states. It also considers that the lack of EU noise reduction targets disincentivises member states to prioritise actions to reduce noise pollution effectively and, that the noise reporting thresholds only cover part of the EU population that may be exposed to harmful levels of noise. The audit was conducted as the European Commission is halfway through its 2030 zero-pollution targets. It recommends introducing EU noise-reduction targets and noise limits to the 2002 Environmental Noise Directive and aligning the noise exposure reporting thresholds as closely as possible with those recommended by the World Health Organization.

Read the full response here: https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications/SR-2025-02

Acoustic alerts for e-scooters
Acoustic alerts have been discussed as an important potential safety measure for e-scooters if their use in public places is to be made legal. The Department for Transport commissioned TRL and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick. The research suggests that a standard universal alert sound could be used by all operators and manufacturers to avoid confusion and that it would be useful if distance and direction of travel could be easily detected from the sound. They also suggest that differentiating acoustic alerts so that e-scooters can be distinguished from e-bikes may be useful. In addition, it was put forward that any artificially generated noise should be able to be switched off in some environments, e.g. if they are being used indoors.

Read the full report here: https://tinyurl.com/e-scoots

New Briefing Note: The health and social costs of road noise
It has been estimated that the annual social cost of urban road noise in England ranges from £7 billion to £10 billion, similar to the cost of road accidents (£9 billion). Meanwhile the make up of the vehicle fleet is changing as combustion engines are replaced with electric vehicles. This new IOA briefing note sets out the sources of noise from roads and how it can be reduced. It explains that while EV motors are quieter than combustion engines, once vehicles are travelling at 50km/hr the contact between tyres and the road is the main source of noise we hear and the key to reducing road traffic noise.

Aimed at explaining this to the public and policy makers, it is available for download here: https://tinyurl.com/bnroadnoise

Wales: Consultation on permitted development for ASHPs
The Welsh Government is consulting on changes to permitted development rights including those for air source heat pumps (ASHPs). Views are sought on whether greater flexibility for the installation of ASHPs should be allowed, potentially introducing greater consistency with England. The consultation also covers electric vehicle charging points and pop up campsites. The IOA are convening a working group to consider a response.

The consultation is open until 1 July 2025 and you can see it here: https://tinyurl.com/Walesdevrights

About the author: Mary Stevens supports the IOA to bring acoustics to the attention of policy makers