The May/June 2023 issue of Acoustics Bulletin has a wellbeing vibe to it and will be with members shortly and apart from all the regulars, it includes these articles:

New draft guidance for renewable energy in Wales, published this week, covers noise from onshore wind farms. The Design Commission for Wales (DCFW) is consulting on the guidance - Designing for Renewable Energy in Wales. The Welsh Government commissioned DCFW to prepare guidance for on-shore  renewable energy development design, which covers large-scale wind and solar energy development planning applications in  Wales. Noise from wind farms is briefly covered in the guidance. On noise, the draft guidance states: 

A National Policy Statement(NPS) for Water Resources Infrastructure for England has been published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The NPS aims to streamline planning permission, enable new water supply infrastructure and provide guidance for applicants. In a chapter on noise and vibration, the statement acknowledges the impact noise can have on human health and quality of life, tranquil places and the natural environment including marine life.

An international study shows noise from human operations at sea damages marine creatures and ocean ecosystems.  Hundreds of studies on the impact of noise on marine invertebrates such as crabs, molluscs, squids, prawns and worms were reviewed. It was concluded that noise from human operations is harming these species in many ways. The work found that noise pollution at sea can even cause death in some marine species.

A report published this week recommends that Government should amend legislation to bring proposals for onshore wind farms into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) system as soon as possible. The report, from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) recommends that, to be fit for purpose National Planning Policy Statements for Energy, Water and National Networks should be updated at least every five years.

A consultation is underway seeking views on a new permitted development right for temporary holiday campsites in England. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities say this is in recognition of renewed demand for domestic holidays and will support local tourism.

Following a review of Energy National Policy Statements in 2021, the UK Government is consulting on further amendments, which they say will strengthen the process for delivering major new energy infrastructure.

The Institute of Acoustics has responded to the Civil Aviation Authority’s call for evidence on Consumer Environmental Information (CAP 2395), which sought views on what environmental information should be provided to people when they are looking for and booking flights, to enable them to make informed choices about travel options.  Introducing the consultation, paragraph 1.2 states  “One of the other environmental impacts of aviation is noise, particularly during take-off and landing.

The UK government has issued a new consultation on night flights, looking at  noise objectives for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. In a press statement from the Department for Transport and Aviation Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton, they state the purpose of the consultation is to ensure that the impact of night flights at these airports does not outwiegh the positive impacts they bring to the wider economy. They also state that aircraft are becoming quieter as technology advances, with this trend expected to continue.