NPPG was issued earlier this year, its purpose being to provide more detailed guidance than is contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) of 2012, which replaced PPG24 ‘Planning and Noise’.
In terms of determining noise impact, the document details the adoption of the method contained in the DEFRA Noise Policy Statement for England i.e. ‘Observed Effect Levels’, as follows (reproduced from NPPG):
- Significant observed adverse effect level: This is the level of noise exposure above which significant adverse effects on health and quality of life occur.
- Lowest observed adverse effect level: this is the level of noise exposure above which adverse effects on health and quality of life can be detected.
- No observed effect level: this is the level of noise exposure below which no effect at all on health or quality of life can be detected.
At the lowest extreme, when noise is not noticeable, there is by definition no effect. As the noise exposure increases, it will cross the no observed effect level as it becomes noticeable. However, the noise has no adverse effect so long as the exposure is such that it does not cause any change in behaviour or attitude. The noise can slightly affect the acoustic character of an area but not to the extent there is a perceived change in quality of life. If the noise exposure is at this level no specific measures are required to manage the acoustic environment.
As the exposure increases further, it crosses the lowest observed adverse effect level boundary above which the noise starts to cause small changes in behaviour and attitude, for example, having to turn up the volume on the television or needing to speak more loudly to be heard. The noise therefore starts to have an adverse effect and consideration needs to be given to mitigating and minimising those effects (taking account of the economic and social benefits being derived from the activity causing the noise).
Increasing noise exposure will at some point cause the significant observed adverse effect level boundary to be crossed. Above this level the noise causes a material change in behaviour such as keeping windows closed for most of the time or avoiding certain activities during periods when the noise is present. If the exposure is above this level the planning process should be used to avoid this effect occurring, by use of appropriate mitigation such as by altering the design and layout. Such decisions must be made taking account of the economic and social benefit of the activity causing the noise, but it is undesirable for such exposure to be caused.
At the highest extreme, noise exposure would cause extensive and sustained changes in behaviour without an ability to mitigate the effect of noise. The impacts on health and quality of life are such that regardless of the benefits of the activity causing the noise, this situation should be prevented from occurring.
The NPSE document provides further comment on ‘Significant Observed Adverse Effect Level’ i.e. the highest extreme of noise exposure affecting a site:
‘It is not possible to have a single objective noise-based measure that defines SOAEL that is applicable to all sources of noise in all situations. Consequently, the SOAEL is likely to be different for different noise sources, for different receptors and at different times. It is acknowledged that further research is required to increase our understanding of what may constitute a significant adverse impact on health and quality of life from noise.
In light of this, Azymuth Acoustics continues to refer to Noise Exposure Categories described in PPG24, which, although now withdrawn, provide useful guidance in terms of absolute noise levels affecting a site.
