Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003
BNE3 Noise Standards
In considering the impact of noise from transport related sources on new residential development, the noise exposure categories (NECs) set out below will be applied as follows:
- where noise levels are within category A, noise need not be considered as a determining factor;
- where noise levels fall within category B, the applicant should demonstrate that adequate mitigation measures are included in the proposal to reduce noise to a satisfactory level or, where appropriate, conditions will be imposed to ensure such mitigation measures;
- where noise levels fall within category C, the development will not be permitted unless either (a) the site is allocated for residential development or (b) there are no alternative quieter sites available. In both cases, a substantial level of protection against noise must be provided;
- where noise levels are within category D, planning permission will be refused.
| Noise Source | Noise Exposure Category (NEC) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | |
| Road Traffic | ||||
| 0700-2300 | <55 | 55-63 | 63-72 | 72 |
| 2300-0700 | <45 | 45-57 | 57-66 | 66 |
| Rail Traffic | ||||
| 0700-2300 | <55 | 55-66 | 66-74 | 74 |
| 2300-0700 | <45 | 45-59 | 59-66 | 66 |
| Air Traffic | ||||
| 0700-2300 | <57 | 57-66 | 66-72 | 72 |
| 2300-0700 | <48 | 48-57 | 57-66 | 66 |
| Mixed Sources | ||||
| 0700-2300 | <55 | 55-63 | 63-72 | 72 |
| 2300-0700 | <45 | 45-57 | 57-66 | 66 |
These thresholds may be increased or decreased by up to 3dB(A) where it can be justified.
- Noise levels: the free field noise level(s) (LAeqqT) used when deciding the NEC of a site should be representative of typical conditions.
- Night-time noise levels (2300-0700 hours): sites where the free field individual noise events regularly exceed 80dB LAmax (S time weighting) several times in any hour, should be treated as being in NEC C regardless of the LAeq,8r (except where the LAeq,8H already puts the site in NEC D).
- Aircraft noise: daytime values accord with the contour values adopted by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions which relate to levels measured 1.2m above open ground. For the same amount of noise energy, contour values can be up to 2dB(A) higher than those of other sources because of ground reflection effects.
- Mixed sources: this refers to any combination of road, rail and industrial noise sources. The ‘mixed source’ values are based on the lowest numerical values of the single source limits in the table. The ‘mixed source’ NECs should only be used where no individual noise source is dominant.
Residential development should be designed to minimise noise levels within gardens and/or amenity areas provided by that development, with the aim of having these areas experience a general daytime (07.00 to 23.00 hours) noise level of at most 55 LAeq,TdB.
Noise sensitive development (including offices, hospitals, schools and, in respect of noise emanating from non-transport related sources, housing) should be designed to minimise the impact of existing noise sources and the applicant will be required to demonstrate that the proposed development will not be exposed to unacceptable levels of noise relative to the proposed use.
Noise-generating development should be located and designed so as not to have a significant adverse noise impact on any nearby noise sensitive uses (including offices, hospitals, schools and, in respect of noise emanating from non-transport related sources, housing).
For more information please see the Medway Local Plan 2003