Policy information sourced from the Reigate & Banstead Local Plan - Development Management Plan

DES9: Pollution and contaminated land

The policy applies borough-wide, although particular attention should be paid within the following designated areas:

  • Air Quality Management Areas
  • Noise contours associated with Gatwick Airport
  1. For all types of development, across the Borough:
    1. Development will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that (on its own or cumulatively) it will not result in a significant adverse or unacceptable impact on the natural or built environment (including sensitive habitats); amenity; or health and safety due to fumes, smoke, steam, dust, noise, vibration, smell, light or any other form of air, land, water or soil pollution. Where there would be potential adverse effects from pollution and adequate mitigation cannot be provided, development will not normally be permitted. This includes pollution from construction and pollution predicted to arise during the life of the development. Particular attention should be paid to development within Air Quality Management Areas.
    2. New development will not normally be permitted where existing fumes, smoke, steam, dust, noise, vibration, smell, light or any other form of air, land, water or soil pollution are unacceptable and there is no reasonable prospect that these can be mitigated against to satisfactory levels. This is particularly relevant for sensitive development such as residential.
    3. Where a site is known to be contaminated, or where there is a reasonable possibility of contamination, appropriate investigation, and where necessary mitigation and/or remediation will be required.
    4. Measures to reduce air pollution will be encouraged.
  2. Within areas of poor air quality (as defined by the presence of Air Quality Management Areas) development must be designed to minimise the occupants’ or users’ exposure to air pollution, both internally and externally.
  3. In areas near Gatwick Airport, residential development will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the noise levels will not have a significant adverse effect on the proposed development. Proposals for residential development on sites falling within the 57 dB LAeq (07:00 to 23:00) or 48 dB LAeq (23:00 to 07:00) noise contours for Gatwick Airport must:
    1. Be accompanied by a full noise impact assessment.
    2. Demonstrate that, through satisfactory design, mitigation and/or attenuation measures, future occupants would not be subject to unacceptable noise disturbance both within buildings and externally.

For more information please see the Reigate & Banstead Development Management Plan