§ Sir Anthony GrantTo ask the Secretary of Stale for the Environment what measures are being taken to reduce the various forms of noise pollution; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe independent noise review working party established by my Department in 1990 considered noise pollution in all its forms and we have subsequently implemented over half its recommendations.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 strengthened the statutory nuisance legislation which is available for local authorities to control noise from domestic, industrial and commercial premises. These powers have been further extended by the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 to control noise from vehicles, machinery and equipment in the street. My Department has, jointly with the Home Office, issued specific guidance on how best to use statutory powers to control all forms of noisy parties and issues general advice about how to pursue noise complaints.
Separating noisy activities from those most likely to be affected by them can be achieved by a variety of formal and informal mechanisms. We hope shortly to publish a planning policy guidance note which will describe how the planning system can be used to minimise the adverse impact of noise, for example on residential development. We also continue to liaise with, and support, professional and other bodies which are keen to develop and publish their own codes of practice for minimising noise. Codes currently in preparation include guidance on clay pigeon shooting and stock car racing.
There is much concern about the rising number of complaints about neighbour noise and we are keeping under review the effectiveness of legal and informal remedies. We believe that mediation services have an important role to play in resolving such disputes in a more cost-effective and appropriate way. My Department has funded two pilot studies in order to give local authorities a clearer picture of the benefits of establishing such services.