A REVIEW OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES NOISE GUIDANCE IN SCOTLAND

Planning Advice Note (PAN) 1/2011: Planning and Noise1 provides guidance on the consideration of noise within the planning system in Scotland. The guidance promotes the avoidance of significant adverse impact from noise, and accompanying guidance recommends noise impact assessment methods to allow planning officers to make informed decisions. PAN 1/2011 consciously avoids prescribing noise criteria values, acknowledging that this may lead to varying limits within and outwith local authority areas. The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) has produced a guidance document2 for EHOs and developers with a view to harmonising assessment methods and criteria, which has been adopted by some local authorities as noise guidance. Disparities between the REHIS guidance and PAN 1/2011 regarding transportation noise are presented and the impact of the adoption of this guidance on planning in Scotland is explored, with a particular focus on the impact on the ability of local authorities to meet housing supply targets.