Policy information sourced from Runnymede Local Plan
EE2: Environmental Protection
Any report or assessment required by this policy will be expected to be written in line with best practice guidance or advice.
Air Quality
Development proposals which may give rise to adverse impacts on air quality including sources of odour or fumes or which may place sensitive receptors in areas exceeding adopted air quality standards, or in close proximity to existing sources of odour will be expected to be accompanied by an air quality assessment or odour impact study. Where the air quality assessment or odour impact study shows that proposed development, either individually or cumulatively, will have an adverse impact on air quality, sensitive receptors, the natural environment or amenity, planning permission will only be granted where abatement or mitigation measures to reduce impacts to acceptable levels can be secured and implemented.
Noise
Development proposals resulting in or being subject to external noise impacts above Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level will be expected to implement measures to mitigate and reduce noise impacts to a minimum.
Development proposals resulting in or being subject to external noise impacts above Significant Observed Adverse Effect Level will not be supported unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the social and economic benefits of the proposal outweigh noise impacts and unless the scheme’s design and layout has been optimised to avoid, mitigate and reduce impacts to a minimum.
Proposals which have or would be subject to unacceptable adverse effects will not be supported.
Proposals will need to consider the effects of external noise on outside amenity and where possible incorporate opportunities to create areas of relative tranquillity or areas which offer respite from high ambient noise levels.
In considering measures to avoid, mitigate and reduce noise impacts, proposals will need to consider the basic principles of noise control:
- Separate noise sources from sensitive receptors;
- Control the noise at source; and
- Protect the receptor.
For all proposals resulting in or being subject to external noise impacts above Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level, a noise or acoustic assessment will need to be submitted which demonstrates the avoidance, mitigation or reduction measures identified are the most appropriate and capable of implementation.
Land Contamination
Development proposals on land which is suspected of being affected by historic or current land contamination will be required to investigate the nature and risk of the contamination both to the development proposal and to the wider environment. Where contamination is revealed, the applicant will be required to submit and implement a scheme of remediation which demonstrates that the land and where necessary groundwater will be remediated to the point where it no longer meets the definition of statutory contaminated land.
Light
The Council will expect lighting schemes, whether as proposals on their own or as part of a wider redevelopment to be well-designed, focussing on avoiding impact on local amenity, wildlife, public safety and their prominence within and from the surrounding townscape/landscape.
Schemes should be designed to industry standards and not exceed the minimum light levels necessary for their purpose and not spill beyond the area intended for illumination.
Integrating Development with Existing Uses
Development proposals should be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities and ensure that where an existing business or community facility has an effect that could be deemed a statutory nuisance as a result of the proposed development, or where its operation could have a significant adverse effect on the proposed development (including changes of use), the applicant will be required to demonstrate at application stage that effective mitigation can be secured and implemented prior to completion of that development or a phase of that development.
Construction Management
The Local Planning Authority may also place conditions on any permission granted requiring the submission and implementation of a Construction Management Plan or Construction Environmental Management Plan prior to the commencement of development.
For more information please see the Local Plan