Noise Policy (Hansard, 9 December 1994)

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff in his local environment quality division now work full-time on noise policy matters.

§ Sir Paul Beresford
Four staff in the local environment quality division work full time on policy matters relating to noise and other statutory nuisances.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has undertaken or commissioned on the effectiveness of the current noise control framework in dealing with neighbour noise complaints.

§ Sir Paul Beresford
An inter departmental working party comprising officials from my Department, the Home Office, Lord Chancellor's Department, territorial departments and representatives of the local authorities and police, is reviewing the effectiveness of current neighbour noise controls and will be making recommendations to Ministers in the new year.
The working party will consider available evidence on the effectiveness of current neighbour noise controls, including surveys by local authorities, voluntary bodies and research institutions.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State of the Environment what plans he has to set targets for reducing noise exposure as part of his sustainable development strategy.

§ Sir Paul Beresford
Planning policy guidance note No. 24, "Planning and Noise" issued in October 1994, recommends exposure levels for new residential 381W development near transport and other noise sources. A copy of. PPG24 is in the Library.
A number of EC directives ensure the progressive reduction in noise from road vehicles, aircraft and a variety of machinery and equipment.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State of the Environment what research he has undertaken of commissioned on the contribution of poor sound insulation to neighbour noise complaints.

§ Sir Paul Beresford
My Department has commissioned the Building Research Establishment to study a small sample of complaints about poor sound insulation between dwellings. The research was carried out between 1992 and 1994. The information gained will form part of a continuing review of the regulations for sound insulation.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of the population currently exposed to night-time noise levels of(a) more than 65 decibels, (b) between 55 and 65 decibels and (c) less than 55 decibels;
(2) what is his estimate of the proportion of the population currently exposed to daytime noise levels of more than 65 decibels.

§ Sir Paul Beresford
From noise measurements carried out at 1,000 dwellings in England and Wales during the 1990 national noise incidence study it is estimated that at night(a) less than 1 per cent. of the population are exposed to noise levels 65dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00), (b) 13 per cent. are exposed to levels between 55dB and 65dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00) and (c) 86 per cent. to levels less than 55dB L_Aeq (23.00–07.00). It is estimated that 10 per cent. of the population are exposed to daytime noise levels of more than 65dB L_Leq (07.00–23.00).
Copies of an information paper reporting the findings of the study, which was carried out by the Building Research Establishment, are in the Library.