§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to achieve the community noise level of 60dBa for an outside noise event. [11081]
§ Ms BlearsI have been asked to reply.
The figure of 60dBA is the World Health Organisation's recommended guideline limit for night time noise events. Noisiness of equipment is regulated variously at UK and/or international level depending on the type of source. New noisy and noise-sensitive development is potentially subject to planning controls, and local authorities must have regard to PPG 24 (Planning and Noise) when formulating and applying their development plans. Noise from dwellings may be addressed by local authorities. Noise from aircraft taking off or landing is subject to airport-based noise controls, and in the case of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports is regulated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions under s.78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982.