Noise pollution ‘overlooked’

The society criticized a recent report – the Rogers Review of Local Regulatory Priorities – which was published at the end of March alongside the budget.

The review addresses matters in connection to the work of the Local Better Regulation Office, highlighting five national priorities for local authority enforcement.

Although the NSCA praised the recommendations addressing the improvement of air quality for residents, it believes that suggestions around noise pollution fell short.

“Rogers reports that neighbour noise affects the quality of life of one in seven, noise enforcement is patchy, and that for 73% of people noisy neighbours are a great concern,” said Philip Mulligan, NSCA’s acting CEO.

“It is therefore disappointing that another opportunity has been missed to raise the profile of noise and integrate noise considerations into mainstream policy making, particularly now, when Defra are drafting a national noise strategy, identifying quiet urban areas, and working towards action plans to manage noise.”

However, the issue of noise has been addressed in a guide published by Defra with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which outlines attempts on managing noise and providing support service delivery at a local level.

The NCSA said that it hoped this would prioritise noise sources, at least in the enforcement of licensed premises conditions.

For the Rogers Review see here.

The Defra/CIEH Guide can be accessed here.

Dana Gornitzki