Policy information sourced from the Aylesbury Local Plan
NE5 Pollution, air quality and contaminated land
Noise pollution
Significant noise-generating development will be required to minimise the impact of noise on the occupiers of proposed buildings, neighbouring properties and the surrounding environment. Applicants may be required to submit a noise impact study or to assess the effect of an existing noise source upon the proposed development, prior to the determination of a planning application.
Developments likely to generate more significant levels of noise will be permitted only where appropriate noise attenuation measures are incorporated which would reduce the impact on the surrounding land uses, existing or proposed and sensitive human and animal receptors, to acceptable levels in accordance with Government guidance.
Where necessary, planning conditions will be imposed and / or a planning obligation sought in order to specify and secure acceptable noise limits, hours of operation and attenuation measures. Planning permission for noise-sensitive development, such as housing, schools and hospitals, will not be granted if its users would be affected adversely by noise from existing uses (or programmed development) that generate significant levels of noise.
Light pollution
In developments where external lighting is required, planning permission will only be granted where all of the following criteria are met:
- The lighting scheme proposed is the minimum required for the security and to achieve working activities which are safe
- Light spill and potential glare and the impact on the night sky is minimised through the control of light direction and levels, particularly in residential and commercial areas, areas of wildlife interest or the visual character of historic buildings and rural landscape character
- The choice and positioning of the light fittings, columns and cables minimise their daytime appearance and impact on the streetscape, and
- In considering development involving potentially adverse lighting impacts to wildlife, the council will expect surveys to identify wildlife corridors and ensure that these corridors are protected, and enhanced where possible.
Air quality
Developments requiring planning permission that may have an adverse impact on air quality will be required to prove through a submitted air quality impact assessment that:
- The effect of the proposal would not exceed the National Air Quality Strategy Standards (as replaced) or
- The surrounding area would not be materially affected by existing and continuous poor air quality.
Potentially polluting developments will be required to assess their air quality impact with detailed air dispersion modelling and appropriate monitoring. Air quality impact assessments are also required for development proposals that would generate an increase in air pollution and are likely to have a significantly adverse impact on biodiversity. Required mitigation will be secured through a planning condition or Section 106 agreement.
Contaminated land
Development on or near land that is or may be affected by contamination will only be permitted where:
- an appropriate contaminated Land Assessment has been carried out as part of the application to identify any risks to human health, the natural environment or water quality
- where contamination is found which would pose an unacceptable risk to people’s health, the natural environment or water quality, the council will impose a condition, if appropriate, to ensure the applicant undertakes a desktop study, and if required, an intrusive site investigation, remedial measures and a validation report to ensure that the site is suitable for the proposed use and that the development can safely proceed.
Remediation works will usually be carried out prior to first occupation or use of any part of the development. Required remediation methods will be secured through a planning condition.
Policy information sourced from the Aylesbury Local Plan