Policy information sourced from The Waltham Forest Local Plan Development Management Policies

DM24 Environmental Protection

Development on Contaminated Land

A) When considering applications for development on sites which are potentially contaminated, the Council will need to be satisfied that the development can safely be constructed and used. Where historical use, proximity to landfill, or an Environmental Consultants report indicates a risk of contamination, any planning permission will be subject to planning conditions or obligations to ensure the final development is fit for its proposed end use; having regard to DEFRA / Environment Agency Soil Guideline Values and LQM / Chartered Institute for Environmental Health’s General Assessment Criteria for Human Health Risk Assessment.

Development involving Hazardous Products or Processes

B) Developments involving either hazardous products or processes, or within hazardous installation consultation zones, will only be granted planning permission where the Health and Safety Executive are satisfied that the proposal would not pose a significant risk to human health.

Air Quality

C) New developments should neither contribute to, nor suffer from unacceptable levels of air pollution, measured having regard to DEFRA’s Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQMTG (09) and London Council’s Air Quality and Planning Guidance or successor documents. On major applications, this should be demonstrated through an air quality assessment and, if necessary, proposed mitigation measures.

Noise Pollution and Vibration

D) Noise sensitive uses such as residential should be located away from major sources of noise pollution and vibration, unless appropriate mitigation can be provided. In assessing if reasonable levels of noise can be achieved, regard to should be had to the noise exposure categories listed in the table below. Noisy new developments should normally be located away from noise sensitive uses, and should demonstrate that there is no cumulative increase in noise pollution to sensitive receptors. All major developments should aim to minimise the adverse impacts of noise through sensitive design, management and operation.

Light Pollution

E) External lighting should only illuminate intended areas. The Council will resist developments where floodlighting or external lighting cause unacceptable levels of light pollution, by applying the standards and guidelines set out in the Institute of Lighting Engineers Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light.

Water Quality

F) Developers should liaise with the Council and the Environment Agency to identify any risks to water quality posed by the development, and agree a strategy to overcome that risk. Where the Council is not satisfied that measures are in place to overcome any identified risk (including based on Environment Agency advice), planning permission will be refused. Measures to improve water quality will in principle be supported.

For more information please see the Local Plan Development Management Policies