As part of London Plan Guidance, the mayor’s office have published a new Housing Design Standard for London which acknowledges the importance of protecting residents from noise. The guidance states that attention should be given to layout of homes, as well as soundproofing. It specifies high levels of soundproofing between rooms, as well as between dwellings, to provide privacy and allow different activities (including work and study) to take part simultaneously throughout the home, and that party walls should achieve sound-insulation values that are at least 5dB above Approved Document E.
The new standard also recognises the importance of high levels of soundproofing in party walls and windows, particularly where homes are located next to noisy areas like entrances; lift and stair core and bin and bike stores. It also recommends avoiding locating bedrooms next to noisy areas and facades. In areas with high background noise levels (and poor air quality), it states that careful design will be needed to ensure passive ventilation is possible, in line with carbon reduction targets and the need to avoid additional waste heat and noise associated with mechanical ventilation.
See the full guidance:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-06/Housing%20design%…
