This morning members of the IOA gave evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, as their enquiry into the effects of noise on human health continues, with a session focussing on policy. A panel made up of Stephen Turner, Immediate Past President, Peter Rogers, Chair of the Parliamentary Liaison Group, Paul Mucullogh member of CIEH and Somayya Yaqub, member of CIEH answered questions from the committee. When asked how they thought noise is currently prioritised in policy - answers ranged from five to seven out of 10. While Stephen Turner expressed the view that environmental noise impacts are well accounted for in major transport developments, he and other panel members idenitifed gaps in the planning process when it comes to housing design. They explained to the committee that noise is currently tackled through insulation, rather than good acoustic design of housing to reduce the likelihood of noise problems arising. The need for more research on balancing noise impacts of renewable technologies like air source heat pumps, was raised by the CIEH members, and for all disciplines to work together to find sensitive solutions as we work to build sustainable housing.
When asked to summarise policy needs, the CIEH reperesentatives asked for specialist noise practioners in local authorities, a rethink of permitted development rights which are causing problems between neighbours, and a quicker method for resolving noise complaints. IOA representatives raised the current ommission of noise from overarching government environmental policy, which the introduction of a Sound and Noise Management Strategy could help to address, alongside an All Party Parliamentary Group covering noise and health, which would enable noise practioners to more effectively draw issues to the attention of policy makers.
Watch the full session here on Parliament TV
