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May 2009 headlines (issue 32)

Nuisance wins damages
A court has ruled that restrictive leases do not override the right for residents near Cambridge to complain about noise nuisance.

Charnwood secures ASBO on dog owner
A dog owner has been issued with an Asbo after her barking pets caused noise nuisance and distress to neighbours.

Atkins wins Defra cost benefit probe
Atkins Acoustics, Noise and Vibration has recently been awarded a contract by Defra to undertake a study of environmental noise valuation and in particular a cost and benefit analysis (CBA) of remediation measures.

Wind lobby rapped for misleading claims
A ‘mythbuster’ newsletter aimed at clarifying wind farm impacts has itself been exposed as a myth.
l The adjudication can be viewed on
www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF_ADJ_45978.htm

Air quality distorts noise results
Impacts of noise have been inadequately controlled for in air quality studies, Imperial researcher Lars Jarup told an Institute of Environment and Health conference last month.

New study links noise and air
A US study has tried to establish how noise and air quality interacts to affect health.
l The spatial relationship between traffic-generated air pollution and noise in two US cities, R Allen et al, Environmental Research 2009, April, Vol. 109 (3): 334-42.

Heathrow: challenge lodged
13 organisations have joined together to challenge the Government’s decision to expand Heathrow.
l www.2MGroup.org.uk

Open rotors: less fuel, more noise?
Fears are growing that a technology designed to improve aircraft fuel consumption could cause more noise.

Airspace rejigged following consultation
Plans to rejig flightpaths north of London are to be rethought.

Airport round up
Stansted campaigners say recent traffic forecasts reduce the case even further for expansion at the airport.

Ecotowns concerns?
Epuk has responded to the consultation on the draft planning policy statement on ecotowns.

PPS 4 consultation
DCLG is consulting on combining all national planning policy on economic development in urban and rural areas and town centres into one consolidated and streamlined Planning Policy Statement (PPS).
l Planning Policy Statement – Consultation paper on a new Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for prosperous economies can be viewed on
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/consultationeconomicpps.pdf

Epuk welcomes tyre approval
Epuk has welcomed the European Parliament’s industry committee vote for a comprehensive labelling system for tyres.

Tyre benefits
In support of the impact assessment published with the consultation on noise limits on tyres, TRL has reviewed the monetised benefits of proposed limit values for noise.
l TRL Report PPR 394 (An examination of the monetised benefit of proposed changes to type approved noise limits for tyres) is available from TRL Library www.trl.co.uk

Road lobby call
The European road lobby is asking member states to ensure that cost effective measures are used for noise reduction.
l The ERF – IRF BPC position paper may be viewed online at www.irfnet.eu/en/position-papers/

Mapping release
There has been a new release of Woefel’s IMMI noise and air pollution mapping software.
l Further details from Woefel’s website: www.woelfel.de

Rich pickings likely from data mountain
Defra has launched a public consultation on the INSPIRE Directive.
l www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/inspire/index.htm

Research plans set out by Defra
Defra has released its 2009/10 noise and nuisance research newsletter.
l Noise and Nuisance Research Newsletter can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/pdf/research-newsletter-2009-10.pdf

Edinburgh to host huge Euronoise meeting
One of the biggest international conferences on noise in Europe will take place later this year in Edinburgh.
l Euronoise 2009, 26-28th October 2009. For more information visit www.euronoise2009.org.uk

Road decision upheld
A High Court ruling that a council was responsible for noise on a public road has been upheld.

Chopper advice
Wandsworth Council has released a helpful leaflet aimed at explaining helicopter noise to residents near Battersea Heliport.
l www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/MyWandsworth/Newsextra/heliport.htm

Tranquillity priced
A new document reports on attempts to monetise the impacts of transport schemes on visual amenity, tranquillity and recreation.
l Valuing transport’s impact on the natural landscape:
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/economics/rdg/landscape/reportphase2.pdf

Temple chills
Consultant Temple has been appointed to study the noise impacts of new efforts to cool the London Underground.
l www.templegroup.co.uk

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April 2009 headlines (issue 31)

Consultancy review
We asked consultants for their views on the acoustics market and publish the findings, and rank the firms active in this market

Turbines turned down
Noise is a key factor in the rejection of Dover wind farm on appeal. This is one of two important wind farm appeal decisions this month (see also news p3)

Second turbine turned down in Shipdham
More turbines have been refused at appeal in Norfolk. Again, it appears deficiencies in official ETSU impact guidance are to blame.

Regs consultation confirms Defra U-turn
A consultation on changes to noise regulations in England confirms that Defra is abandoning centralised listing of quiet areas.
l Consultation on proposed amendments to the Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/environoice-regs2006/index.htm

Wardens start
The first community wardens in Scotland to target noise nuisance in addition to their other duties took to the beat last month in East Renfrewshire.

Felixstowe felons felt
The anti-social use of vehicles in Felixstowe is to be targeted as part of an enforcement campaign.

News from the EPUK spring workshop held in Warwick

Defra’s thinking set out
Defra advisor Stephen Turner updated Epuk workshop delegates on progress towards meeting the European Environmental Noise Directive.

Death numbers decided but not released
A noise and health study carried out for Defra was outlined to the Epuk spring workshop.

Nail in coffin for small wind?
“The national wind map is almost completely useless in urban areas,”, Matthew Rhodes of Encraft told Epuk delegates.

Flindell finds flaws in costing methods
Conventional costing of noise impacts using house prices may underestimate the value of nuisance.

Small wind lobby lashes out
The small wind turbine lobby has lashed out at Defra claiming it is holding back the market.

ARM completes turbine nuisance probe
ARM Acoustics has finished collating data as part of a Defra project to produce a methodology and guidance for assessment of nuisance due to noise from wind farms.

Pitt lined up for IPC chair
Sir Michael Pitt is lined up to chair the Infrastructure Planning Commission. The Commission is being created as part of the Planning Act shake-up that will see major projects decided by the Commission rather than public inquiries.
l Pitt’s grilling can be viewed on www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=3695

Act: things might get missed
“Things might get missed,” warned Richard Atkinson of the Planning Aid Service, telling Epuk spring workshop delegates about the new Planning Act regime.

Beat the slump
Norsonic claims it is doing its bit to ease the credit crunch by cutting costs and down time associated with calibrating audiometer equipment.
l www.campbell-associates.co.uk

Scott Wilson grows
Scott Wilson says it is expanding. It has appointed Miles Woolley as principal acoustics consultant, Heather Billin as a technician and Jorge D’Avillez as a research engineer.
l www.scottwilson.com

Landscape: noise not mentioned
Natural England is consulting on a draft policy for landscapes. It doesn’t mention noise, quiet areas or tranquillity.
l All landscapes matter consultation can be viewed on www.naturalengland. org.uk/consultations/docs/all_landscapes_matters_complete.pdf

Stansted delay
Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) has welcomed the decision by Government to postpone the start of the Public Inquiry into BAA’s plans for a second Stansted runway which had been due to start on 15 April.

Heart impacts in Sweden
More research has been published linking noise and heart attacks.

Parliament Office starts noise probe
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is carrying out a probe into noise pollution.
l www.parliament.uk/post.cfm

Lobby groups tyred of delays
Epuk has welcomed the new EU regulation on tyre safety – which addresses noise, and for the first time, rolling resistance.

Urban noise studied
A research project has studied the impact of traffic measures on urban noise in Dublin.

Going unitary
A handful of authorities are going unitary from 1st of April.

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Feb/March 2009 headlines (issue 30)

Injunction for race track
The High Court says that noise sufferers can get an injunction against Croft Circuit for excess noise.

Scots also delay turbine relaxation
Scotland has followed England by allowing domestic technologies such as solar panels to be installed without planning permission. And like England, they have deferred a decision on domestic wind turbines and air source heat pumps.

Surveys gauge noise opinions
A trio of noise statistics have been released in Northern Ireland and England.
l Northern Ireland noise stats can be downloaded from www.doeni.gov.uk/noise_complaints_statistics_20072008.pdf.
l Northern Ireland environmental statistics report can be downloaded from www.ni-environment.gov.uk/index/about-niea/our_environment/niesr_page.htm
l CIEH stats can be viewed on:
www.cieh.org/library/Knowledge/Environmental_protection/Noise/CIEH_annual_noise_complaint_statistics.pdf

Planning Act lets Heathrow off the hook?
New consultation is adding detail to huge changes to the planning system resulting from the 2008 Planning Act.
l www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/consultationstatutoryconsultees

Stansted Inquiry
A preliminary hearing has taken place as part of the Planning Inquiry for the expansion of Stansted Airport.
l www.stopstanstedexpansion.com

Trucks cause damage
Lorries cause far more environmental damage and congestion than previously thought, claims European green lobby group T&E.
l Are trucks taking their toll? www.transportenvironment.org/tag/noise/news/

Salford forced to reveal sources
The Renewable Energy Foundation (REF), a body highly sceptical about the benefits of wind turbines, has used the Freedom of Information Act to force Salford University to reveal its sources.
l Web: www.ref.org.uk

Bristol tries new style consultation
Bristol is developing new approaches to consultation as it sets out to seek public opinion on how road traffic noise affects their lives.
l The main page for the noise consultation is www.bristol.gov.uk/noisedebate

Heathrow Airport
Six pages on the Heathrow decision

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January 2009 headlines (issue 29)

3rd runway for Heathrow
Expansion of Heathrow airport will be supported by the Government despite widespread opposition on noise, air quality and climate change grounds.
l  www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/heathrowconsultations/heathrowdecision/

Bristol flat appeal allowed despite objections
Student flats have been allowed on appeal despite Bristol City Council’s objections that future residents will be disturbed by nightclub noise.

Official: all noise and no action
In the largest, most rigorous study to date, building mounted turbines appear to produce on average less than 1% of their rated power.
l The trial results are available www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk

Epuk welcomes tyre consultation
In a new consultation, the DfT has given its support for lower rolling resistance and lower noise tyres, as set out in the EU proposal for regulation concerning type-approval requirements for the safety of motor vehicles.
l More details of the consultation, see feature page six & DfT website www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/motorvehiclessafety

Little impact if speed limits are enforced
Intelligent speed controls on vehicles would have little impact on noise, a report cla

l More details can be found on website www.cfit.gov.uk/docs/2008/isa/index.htm

Impacts assessed
Defra has commissioned research on noise and environmental impact assessment (EIA).
l www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/eia.htm

Farnborough grows?
Owner of Farnborough Airport TAG Aviation has tabled plans to develop it into a civil airport. Its new voluntarily-produced master plan sets out its plans to apply to Rushmoor District Council for permission to expand to 50,000 annual business air traffic movements.
l www.farnboroughairportconsultation.com

MOD claims reports
There has been a sharp increase in compensation claims made to the Ministry of Defence for low flying aircraft damage. 244 claims were made in 2007/08 compared to 175 in the previous year.
l www.mod.uk/DefenceInter net/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinanceandProcurementPublications/Claims/

Exeter for Hitchcock
The University of Exeter has appointed Dr Guy Hitchcock as the new head of its Centre for Energy and the Environment replacing Dr Trevor Preist.

Kings Cross monitoring for English Cogger
The English Cogger Partnership is installing long term, remote noise monitoring equipment at the long running Kings Cross Central development site in London
l www.tecp.co.uk

ETSU fails large wind turbines?
There are calls for more research into the complex issue of predicting the noise impact of today’s large wind turbines

Wakeham quits
Peter Wakeham has quit as boss of the Noise Abatement Society.

Manby appeal
East Lindsey DC has taken the Manby vehicle noise compensation decision to the Court of Appeal.

Accon UK win
Accon UK, set up in July 2007, has been awarded a commission to provide noise and air quality input for the proposed BX-D Luas tram line in Dublin.

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December 2008 headlines (issue 28)

Delivery truck noise leads to compensation
Noise from refuse vehicles accessing a new depot is unacceptable, says the High Court.

Skateparks need not be noisy
Skateparks should not create any noise nuisance provided they are built more than 200m from properties, Alan Saunders told an IoA meeting in Winchester last month.
l www.alansaunders.com

Government urges use of ‘wellbeing’ powers
Councils have failed to use an obscure legal power that could be used to aid local environment quality.
l www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/evaluationwellbeingpower

England action planned
Outgoing Defra environmental noise head Wendy Hartnell told the recent Epuk noise update conference of progress on English action plans.

Wendy Hartnell heads off
Defra environmental noise chief Wendy Hartnell is leaving to join DECC, the climate change and energy department. Hartnell took over from Jo Bray in 2005. A replacement has not yet been announced.

Licensing: What is public nuisance?
Lawyers are going to the High Court to test the meaning of public nuisance in licensing cases.

Westminster swats Mosquitos
Westminster City Council is backing calls to ban a controversial Mosquito device which emits annoying signals to disperse groups of young people.

Noisemap and Tompsett splits from Atkins
Newly launched Noisemap Ltd has bought all rights to the Noisemap environmental noise mapping software from consultant Atkins.
l Website: www.noisemap.com

Premises closed
The first Premises Closure Order to be served in England and Wales took place in east London just one week after the power was introduced.
l Guidance can be found at www.respect.gov.uk/members/article.aspx?id=12676

Epic tyre win for Epuk
The European Parliament’s internal market committee has voted to support proposed legislation that would make tyres quieter and more energy efficient. Epuk is among the groups that have hotly argued that tyres should be quieter.

BAA promises to stick to limits
A Government announcement on whether it will support expansion at Heathrow is now due in January. Compliance with noise limits is a major constraint on the expansion.

Airport action planning: fears voiced
Epuk is urging Government to clarify draft noise action planning guidance for airport operators.

Noise complaints suppressed in Planning Bill
Epuk has expressed disappointment that the Planning Bill has been passed with clauses that will limit the ability to complain about noise and dust nuisance.

Tees Valley councils get together for survey
The five Tees Valley local authorities (Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton) have carried out a survey of occupational noise levels within the entertainment and leisure industry.
l More details http://tinyurl.com/6f7937

Cardiff works late
Cardiff City Council’s recently launched an out of hours noise service which has proved to be a success.

Tens in Parliament
Government has been questioned on Temporary Event Notices in Parliament.

Campbell UKASsed
Campbell Associates has announced that its calibration laboratory is now UKAS accredited.
l website www.campbell-associates.co.uk

Vanguardia grows
Environmental acoustics expert David Trevor-Jones has joined Vanguardia Consulting’s management team, headed by Jim Griffiths and John Staunton. The enlarged firm also opened a London office near London Bridge last month.
l website www.vanguardia consulting.co.uk

Cutting glass noise
A new HSE publication has been published aimed at managers, buyers, designers and manufacturers of recycled glass collection equipment. Noise during collections can reach 120db
l Reducing ‘kerbside’ glass collection noise risks in the waste and recycling industry can be viewed on www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/waste16.pdf

Stansted appeal
Stop Stansted Expansion (SSE) has lodged an appeal with the High Court challenging last month’s decision by the Government to sanction an additional 10 million passengers a year on Stansted’s existing runway.
l www.stopstansted expansion.com

Freight mapping
Hackney has introduced an online freight mapping facility aimed at cutting noise nuisance.
l www.hackney.gov.uk/fg-gis.htm

Surrey councils agree
Surrey County Council has signed up to an agreement to cooperate on possible future development of Gatwick Airport.

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November 2008 headlines (issue 27)

Wales launches plans
Wales has launched its draft action plans for noise. It has beaten England in publishing the plans – England’s action planning has had several false starts with Defra unable to decide how to engage local authorities in the process.
l Environmental noise action plans for major roads, railways and agglomerations consultation can be viewed on http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/environment/endactionplans/?lang=en

High court squashes valuation verdict
The High Court has reversed a decision from a valuation tribunal to cut council tax for those living near a motorway which had experienced increased traffic.
l Chilton-Merryweather v Hunt & Ors can be viewed on
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2008/1025.html

PPG24 guidance overruled
Crawley has effectively been told that it was wrong to give weight to the NEC bands in PPG24 planning guidance on noise.

York gets tough with noise makers
The City of York Council is continuing its crackdown against noise nuisance after gaining its second Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order (Crasbo) against a noisy neighbour in a single week.

St Albans loses pub nuisance fight in High Court
St Albans District Council has lost its High Court battle to force a pub owner to reduce nuisance noise. It was appealing against acceptance by a Magistrates Court of a best practical means defence.

US combines aviation findings
The US Government has published a compendium of research into aviation noise.
l Effects of aircraft noise: Research update on selected topics: A synthesis of airport practice can be viewed on the US Transportation Research Board website www.TRB.org

Airports get green light to grow
Two airports have received the green light to expand their activities. Next month the Government is scheduled to decide on whether expansion at Heathrow should go ahead.
l The Stansted decision can be viewed on :
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/airports/decisionletters/stansted
Stansted G2 Inquiry website: www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/stanstedg2inquiry

Stewart leads environmental top 100
Aviation and transport campaigner John Stewart has been voted number one in The Independent newspaper’s Top 100 list of environmentalists. Stewart has been instrumental in highlighting the noise and air quality impacts of the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Agency solicits views on Monckton works
The Environment Agency is consulting directly with local residents to see whether they are happy with levels of nuisance from the Royston Monckton Coke and Chemical site near Barnsley.

Wandsworth wins John Connell award for second time
Wandsworth has once again won the Noise Abatement Society’s John Connell Awards.

‘Tireless’ campaigner wins IoA awards
Working “tirelessly” with schools and engaging them with acoustics has clinched Richard Collman, of Acoustical Control Engineers, the Institute of Acoustics’ 2008 award for promoting acoustics to the public.

Noise responsible for 1.7% of Flanders’ Dalys
Noise in Flanders is responsible for 1.7% of disease impacts say Belgian researchers.

Long term aviation noise may cause stress
A Swedish study suggests that long term aircraft noise exposure may cause hypertension (stress).

Environmental sound barriers: mixed blessing
A recent study highlights the benefits and disadvantages of sound barriers.

Renewable energy fears from Epuk
Noise and other environmental issues have not been covered sufficiently, Epuk says in its response to the Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy consultation.

Scotland SEA
Scotland has released it’s strategic environmental assessment of draft noise action plans released earlier this year
l Noise action plans strategic environmental assessment: Environmental report is available from www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/27112402/0

Scottish nuisance
The Scottish Government is consulting on new guidance to accompany incoming statutory nuisance provisions of the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008.
l The draft guidance can be found on the Scottish Government Consultation website www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/10/14154946/0

Vanguardia Audioview
Events specialist Vanguardia continue to use its Audioview software to aid sound monitoring at large events.
l More information: www.vanguardiaconsulting.co.uk

Tram noise reported
A series of reports have been commissioned by tram lobby group UKTram looking at the incidence and control of noise issues surrounding UK tram systems.
l The reports, commissioned by UKTram from Delta Rail, can be viewed on
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/scienceresearch/orresearch/tramlightrail

Licences totalled
207,800 licences and certificates were in force in England and Wales in March 2008, based on DCMS statistics.
l More details: www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/AE-Statistics-bulletin-2008.pdf

Lockwood to Temple
Robert Lockwood has joined Temple as principal consultant. Lockwood joined Temple Group after a number of years with the Environment Agency.

Hepworth grows
Hepworth Acoustics is opening two new offices in Plymouth and Leeds.
l www.hepworth-acoustics.co.uk

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October 2008 headlines (issue 26)

Noise kills 134 a year
Corrected calculations carried out for the GLA suggest just a handful of people in London die due to aviation noise. But nearly 140 die each year due to road noise.
l The revised report is on www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/noise/

Plan panned
Aviation noise action plans released by Defra have been criticised.

Defra forced to release turbine findings
Defra has been obliged to release research on domestic turbine nuisance under freedom of information laws.

All change – Shaw out, Hunt in
Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s recent Cabinet shake up sees noise minister Jonathan Shaw moving on.

Epuk works to amend Planning Bill
Epuk is working with other bodies in a bid to amend a clause in the Planning Bill that will remove rights to complain about nuisance.

Epuk join EU lobbyists
Epuk has joined with other European groups to work towards reducing the impact of traffic noise on health.

Councils rescue north eastern 101 service
The ill-fated 101 helpline service in the North East of England rescued by Newcastle and Sunderland councils has now racked up over 10,000 calls.

Heathrow inequalities revealed
A decision on expansion at Heathrow is set to be delayed until the end of the year at earliest while the Government carries out an equality impact assessment of the proposals.
l www.dft.gov.uk/heathrowconsultation

Superjumbo: is it quieter or not?
Tests on the double-decker Airbus A380 superjumbo suggests it really is quieter than other planes.
l www.sydneyairport.com.au

Helicopters seem louder than they are
Normal decibel measures do not adequately predict helicopter annoyance, a study for Defra suggests.
l Research into the improvement of the management of helicopter noise (NANR235) can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/index.htm

Wind farm permission quashed
Anti wind farm protesters have succeeded in the High Court in forcing a wind farm developer to supply detailed noise data.
l www.denbrookvalley.co.uk

Kids learning
A Belfast protest group believes children’s education will suffer as the City Airport expands
l website www.belfastcityairportwatch.co.uk

Remote noise test helps keep festival peace
Nuisance to local residents was kept to a minimum during Ireland’s Oxegen music festival, with the local council using a wireless network to monitor noise levels in surrounding areas.
l www.bksv.co.uk

Soundscape research launched
Defra is seeking a firm to carry out research into soundscapes in what looks suspiciously like a hint at what policy might look like if Defra ever gets a strategy out l Research into the practical and policy applications of soundscape concepts and techniques in urban areas (NANR 200) can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/science/funding/competitions.htm

Mendip pleased despite Glastonbury increase
Mendip District Council believes the Glastonbury Festival is “possibly the best managed event of its kind in the world”.

30% more details
Robust Details Ltd has expanded its handbook of low noise standardised building methods by a third.
l www.robustdetails.com

Ireland consults
The Irish Government is consulting on a large scale shake up of noise legislation.
l www.environ.ie/en/environment/noiseissuesconsultationpaper/

Witterick to Capita
Capita Symonds’ acoustics team has appointed Susan Witterick as senior acoustic consultant.

Wales consults
Wales is consulting on changing detail within its noise regulations.
l http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/envandcouncurrcons/endregulations/?lang=en

Turbine numbers
Berr has told Parliament that there are currently 1,130 micro-wind turbines in operation.

Little red re-release
The second edition of The little red book of acoustics has been released.
l www.bluetreeacoustics.com

Open space omission
The Mayor of London and the CABE is consulting on best practice guidance on open space strategies. Noise is not mentioned.
l Open space strategies: Best practice guidance. A joint consultation draft by the Mayor of London and CABE Space can be viewed on www.london.gov.uk/mayor/strategies/sds/open_space.jsp

Wellingborough OK
In the website review in our last issue, we wrote that Wellingborough’s website failed to suggest noise complainants should contact their neighbours informally. In fact this is mentioned on page three of the website and in the ‘frequently asked questions’.

Rushlight Awards call
Entries are being sought for the 2008 Rushlight Awards for environmental technologies and innovations.
l www.rushlightawards.co.uk

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Aug/Sept 2008 headlines (issue 25)

Bill will cut noise rights
A minor clause inserted into the Planning Bill could take away the right to complain about noise arising from large projects.

Wind turbine noise sufferers win rate cut
Noise from wind turbines has been recognised as a nuisance problem and prompted a cut in council tax rates.
l The valuation tribunal decision can be found on http://tinyurl.com/6dk4lm

Low frequency noise probe launched
Defra and the Department of Health have launched a project to help sufferers to cope with low frequency noise problems.
l More details on www.copingwithnoise.org

Home turbines: weak benefits
Many householders will not be able to generate sufficient energy from wind turbines to offset carbon used in their construction, says the Government’s Carbon Trust.
l A copy of the report can be accessed at: www.carbontrust.co.uk/smallwind

Micro in Parliament
The Government was asked in Parliament about the status of permitted development rights for domestic turbines.

IoA adds to turbine woes
The Institute of Acoustic has thrown its weight behind fears that plans to deregulation wind turbines may lead to nuisance problems.
l www.ioa.org.uk

Guidance for smoking nuisance
Local authority groups have produced guidance for councils facing complaints about noise nuisance from pub-goers forced outside to smoke.
l Tackling noise: Guidance relating to licensing and smokefree issues is available at www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/upload/18583.doc

Banbridge bears down on street disturbance
Banbridge has set up a night-time economy working group which has set up a three-month pilot scheme in a bid to resolve excess noise from transport providers who park close to residential areas in order to drop off and pick up club goers in the town.

Truck tests for London lorry ban
A comprehensive review of the London lorry ban may see introduction of a noise test for lorries and a noise-based sleep disturbance map.

Airport submits health impact analysis
Birmingham International Airport has submitted a planning report which includes a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to Solihull Council. The analysis will support a planning application for a proposed runway extension.
l The Health Impact Assessment and supporting material is available at
www.bhx.co.uk/planning_application/Health%20Impact%20Assessment/

Government seeks more data on noise and health impact costs
Defra is seeking to quantify the adverse health impacts of noise.
l www.defra.gov.uk/science /funding/competitions.htm

B&K releases software for noise logging
Direct access to real time environmental noise recording, via a remote computer is now available through Brüel & Kjær’s latest Noise Management Terminal software – Type 7843.
l For more information, please contact heather.wilkins@bksv.com

Airport noise logged
Noise at London’s three main airports both rose and fell in 2007.
l 2007 noise exposure reports and contours for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports can be viewed on www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/nec/secnoise07/

Bike petition
A group of motorcycle noise sufferers has set up a petition on the Prime Minister’s petition website. onable noise levels.”
l More details http:// petitions.number10

Microlights allowed
Small microlight aircraft will no longer be prohibited from overflying congested areas of a city, town or settlement, the CAA says.

Truck charges set
A European proposal to allow member states to charge tolls for trucks includes a methodology for costing noise from vehicles.
l Proposal for a Directive on road tolls for lorries http://ec.europa.eu/trans port/greening/doc/road/2008_07_greening_transport_road_proposal_en.pdf

Rail noise costed
A European Commission paper has set out how member states can cut rail noise.
l Communication on rail noise http://ec.europa.eu/transport/greening/index_en.htm

Robust review
The independent report into Robust Details first three year’s in operation (Noise Bulletin December 2007 p1) has just been published.
l Robust Details: 3 Yr Report www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/robustdetails.pdf

Sound advice issued
The Health and Safety Executive has released it’s Sound Advice book covering the control of noise at work in music and entertainment.
l Sound Advice website http://soundadvice.info

Ciria probes
Construction research group Ciria is to study noise and vibration issues for developments near infrastructure.
l More details on www.ciria.co.uk/rp772.htm

Deadlines missed
According to English noise regulations, England should by now have drawn up action plans for roads, railways and agglomerations.

Defra costs noise
Defra is letting a research project in a bid to estimate the amenity value of various local environmental factors including noise.
l www.defra.gov.uk/science/funding/competitions.htm

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July 2008 headlines (issue 24)

Turbines: guidelines needed
The Renewable Energy Foundation says that a new Dutch study confirms the need for new noise guidelines for UK wind turbines. The Government last week proposed a huge increase in the number of UK wind turbines.
l More details www.rug.nl/wewi/WFP1?lang=en

Wales gets its maps – and outlines action
Wales has completed its noise maps – the last region in the UK to do so.
l The noise maps can be viewed on http://tinyurl.com/69tmr5    Action plan documents can be viewed on http://tinyurl.com/5dgh2d

McKell to Faber
Bernadette McKell has merged her acoustics consultancy Hamilton & McGregor with Faber Maunsell.

In Parliament
Last month MP Maria Miller asked noise minister Jonathan Shaw on progress on the national noise strategy. Shaw replied: “The Government plans to publish a combined National Noise Strategy for England, which will cover ambient and neighbourhood noise, for consultation later this year.”

Government goes green in renewable push
The Government has announced a huge push for renewables in its latest renewables strategy. Wind power is a key part of future plans.

GLA links noise to heart failure
A report released by the GLA has linked transport noise to heart attacks.

Surface transport noise debated in Europe
The EU research project SILENCE, which aims to develop technologies and methods for reducing noise from surface transport, has just finished with a final conference in Germany.
l www.silence-ip.org

Defra sets out research needs
Defra has released its yearly update of research it wants to carry out. Much of it has been carried over from previous years.
l The noise wish list can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/funding/index.htm

Airport review
Tranport Secretary Ruth Kelly has delayed a decision on Heathrow expansion. It was due this month – and will now be ‘before the end of the year’.
l www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/airports/reviewregulationukairports

Danish study low frequencies
Danish researchers have studied 203 cases of low-frequency complaints in a bid to see what is causing them.

100th member for ANC
The Association of Noise Consultants has recently approved the application for membership of its 100th member. New Acoustics based in Clydebank, Scotland is the latest company to join the association.
l www.theanc.co.uk

Glastonbury: good
Glastonbury Festival has been hailed as “very successful” by Mendip District Council, which grants the licence for the event.

Red cards planned
Ministers are considering widespread introduction of red and yellow cards to discourage noise and other licensing breaches.

Edinburgh: one hour
Almost 100% of domestic noise complaints are responded to within one hour by the City of Edinburgh Council’s dedicated noise team.

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June 2008 headlines (issue 23)

Scotland springs into action
Scotland has outlined its draft noise action plans.

English noise maps finally published
Defra has completed its noise maps covering road, rail, air and industrial noise in England.
l The maps are available on the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/noisemapping

Brum maps updated
The Birmingham Updated noise Mapping Project (BUMP) team has finalised its maps which include road, rail, air and consolidated noise sources – and quiet areas.
 

News from the IoA’s Spring Conference held in Reading

Soundscape monitor developed
A device is being developed that attempts to be able to home in on specific noise to aid noise enforcement and planning.

Air noise set to grow, says Mitchell
ERM’s Steve Mitchell told the IoA spring conference that noise from aircraft is set to increase.

Rooftop turbine no nuisance
Large rooftop turbines are unlikely to cause a nuisance based on monitoring of a turbine in south London.

Proceedings from the IoA spring conference 2008 Widening horizons in acoustics are available from Linda Canty, IoA, 01727 848195

Hinton to lead IoA
Noise mapping guru John Hinton of Birmingham City Council is taking over as president of the Institute of Acoustics.

Court challenge fails
A group of councils have failed to secure a judicial review to cut the number of aircraft allowed to arrive at Heathrow before 6am.
l www.2MGroup.org.uk

Label proposed to cut tyre noise
The European Commission is set to propose new noise and energy efficiency standards for tyres but with a blanket exemption for the largest 4x4s, according to draft rules seen by European pressure group Transport and Environment (T&E). The group is attempting to include noise in a noise label for tyres.
l T&E website www.transportenvironment.org

Brigade wins night delivery endorsement
Brigade Electronics has received one of the first Noise Abatement Society-Piek certificates to be awarded for their reversing alarms which assist quiet night time deliveries.
l www.reverseinsafety.co.uk

Noise Action Week sends the message
A survey carried out to support Noise Action Week has highlighted annoying street sounds.

IoA seeks publicity makers
The European Commission is set to propose new noise and energy efficiency standards for tyres but with a blanket exemption for the largest 4x4s, according to draft rules seen by European pressure group Transport and Environment (T&E). The group is attempting to include noise in a noise label for tyres.
l T&E website www.transportenvironment.org

German speed cut
Germany’s city-state of Bremen announced last month that its 60 kilometres of motorway will have a blanket 120 km/h speed limit (80mph).

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May 2008 headlines (issue 22)

Weedon quits over delays
Delays to development of UK noise policy has pushed prominent noise campaigner Val Weedon to quit.

Councils told not to overdeclare tranquillity
News of Weedon’s departure (above) emerged at the recent Quiet Conference opened by presenter Jonathan Dimbleby.
Minister Jonathan Shaw warned local authorities (who have input into quiet areas): “Any inappropriate adoption of a tranquillity indicator to prevent new development and activities must be looked at very carefully.”

Epuk loses patience
Epuk (formerly the NSCA) has written to noise minister Jonathan Shaw seeking a date for the completion of the national noise strategy. The strategy has been much delayed

Westminster plans own strategy
Westminster City Council is developing its own noise strategy.

London Underground loses PA battle
London Underground has been saddled with costs of £115,000 after it abandoned its appeal against an abatement notice.

Local authorities poised for action week
Noise Action Week is looming – 19th-23rd May – and the event’s organiser Epuk says the event will once again provide the opportunity to give noise a proper hearing at local level.
l www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

Bristol latest to go online...
Bristol has published an interactive noise map online. It has been developing its noise map over the past few months but has now added the clickable map to its website.
l http://maps.bristol.gov.uk/noisemap/viewer.htm

... as London maps pulled
London noise maps, produced nearly four years ago, have been pulled off the web.

Guidance and device approval for premises
Defra has issued guidance to English local authorities on the new night noise powers available for dwellings and licensed premises which exceed the “permitted level” of noise prescribed under the Noise Act 1996 as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.
l Guidance to local authorities in England – Noise Act offence for licensed premises and Measuring devices (Noise Act 1996) (England) Approval 2008 and permitted level of noise (England) directions 2008 can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/noiseact.htm

Anase: ‘Shambles’
The local authority Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (Sasig) has described the Anase study as “a shambles”.

Europe seeks help
Europe is seeking a consultant through the European Journal to help it review the noise directive 2002/49/EC.

Mapping equivalence
The European Commission has proposed a series of protocols to allow member states to test whether the mapping systems they are using can demonstrate equivalence.
l http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/noisedir/home

Ecotowns quiet?
A consultation on Ecotowns does not mention noise.
l Eco-towns: Living a greener future – consultation paper
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture

BV props up Defra
Bureau Veritas has been re-appointed by Defra for the provision of acoustic advisory services to their noise and nuisance team.

Inaudibility: is it possible?
Is it reasonable to combine the buzz of city centre living with isolation from the entertainment noise around? Lisa Russell reports

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April 2008 headlines (issue 21)

Europe frees UK map data
While Defra is still holding back from publishing its noise maps, the data that will be used to produce the maps can now be obtained from Brussels. The maps can be downloaded from http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/d_2002_49/library?l=/strategic_december/uk_united_kingdom&vm=detailed&sb=Title

Actions plans due this summer, says Defra
Action plans should be complete by July 2008, Defra’s Wendy Hartnell told the recent EPUK spring workshop.

Snetterton silenced?
A council in Norfolk has dropped legal action against Snetterton motor racing circuit in return for a best practice pledge on noise from the circuit owner.

Turbine turmoil (nearly) resolved
Gordon Brown’s Budget has resolved some of the prolonged uncertainty on noise output of English domestic wind turbines. Turbines in gardens and on detached houses will not have to apply for planning permission provided they conform to agreed standards.
l BWEA Small Wind Turbine Performance and Safety Standard can be viewed on www.bwea.com

Highways Agency lists actions
Highways Agency noise specialist Pam Lowery updated delegates at the Institute of Acoustics transportation noise meeting held in Birmingham last month.

McKell still struggles with TAG
Hamilton and McGregor boss Bernadette McKell repeated concerns she had about the recent changes to English Transport Assessment Guidance.

Birmingham uses maps to identify hotspots
Birmingham’s head-start on noise mapping and action planning has hit problems due to funding.

Smoking noise
Bristol City Council has put figures on the increase in complaints prompted by the smoking ban introduced into England last year. Pop code revamp Howard Price of the CIEH reported progress to the EPUK workshop on the update of the ‘pop code’.

More rate cuts?
An MP has questioned the Government on whether increases in aircraft noise can prompt revaluation of rates as has been agreed for road noise in Manchester.

Faber expands
Pierre Klemas has joined Faber Maunsell’s acoustics group at a new base in central London alongside Nigel Burton. The firm already has acoustic teams in Altrincham, Beckenham and St Albans.

UK highways authorities not as sympathetic to noise curbs
Bristol City Council’s Steve Crawshaw updated delegates at EPUK’s recent spring noise workshop held in Warwick on progress with the city’s noise maps and action planning. The city is one of the few to have carried out noise and air quality mapping with a view to taking action.

Maidstone wishes
As part of its air quality action plan, Maidstone Borough Council has asked the Highways Agency to introduce speed limits on the M20 motorway. The Agency is thinking of installing variable message signs on the motorway which could be used to cut speeds and resulting noise.

UK follows European lead
European experts gathered at last month’s Noise in the City conference held in Amsterdam.

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March 2008 headlines (issue 20)

Defra trumped on turbines
It is appearing increasingly likely that Defra has been overruled by Dberr (formerly DTi) on noise limits for domestic wind turbines.
l www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk

Pub fixed penalty rules now in
Legislation has finally come into force aimed at reducing night-time noise from pubs and clubs.

Road traffic increase leads to rating cut
Government is appealing against a High Court endorsement of a tribunal’s decision to allow a reduction in council tax for homeowners living near busy roads.

Blobs and slugs for Scotland
Progress on Scottish action planning was revealed at the EPUK Scotland (formerly NSCA) conference held in Glasgow last month.

Tone finder from B&K
Local authorities and acoustic consultants may save time and money spent investigating the existence of elusive tonal noises with Brüel & Kjær’s new tone assessment tool.
l www.bksv.co.uk

Yet more delay for strategy
The Government has now admitted to further delays for the noise strategy.

Finnish Government adopts noise strategy
Finland has adopted a noise strategy that includes fixed targets in noise reduction.

London Assembly probes noisy boom cars
A survey carried out to support a probe by the London Assembly into loud car stereos confirms they are a nuisance.
l Booming and fuming: Noise nuisance from car stereos and mini-motorbikes, is available at: www.london.gov.uk/assembly/reports/environment.jsp-booming

Wind farms: An EHO’s tale
Speaking at the recent Institute of Acoustics meeting on wind turbine noise held in Northern Ireland, an environmental health officer recounted problems with wind farm applications.

‘Conservatism’ can cost 40% of output
Cumulative conservatism in noise prediction can cost wind farm developers up to 40% of their potential power output, Andrew Bullimore of Hoare Lea Acoustics told the Armagh IoA conference.

Terrain key to turbine annoyance?
Swedish researchers have studied wind turbine annoyance and found that the local environment and terrain are key factors in annoyance.
l Wind turbine noise, annoyance and self reported health and well being in different living environments, Eja Pedersen et al, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 64 pp480-486.

24hr licensing reviewed
The government has published its review of 24hr licensing.
l www.culture.gov.uk

No change for temporary event notices
Government has told Parliament that it sees no reason to change the system for temporary event notices (TENs).

Government pushes for live music
The Government has pledged half a million pounds to boost live music at small venues.

Heathrow criticism flies in
Responses to plans to expand Heathrow have now been submitted. Many are critical of noise impacts.

EU airport review
The EU has published a report on the impact of its airport noise directive passed in 2002.
l Noise operation restrictions at EU airports (report on the application of Directive 2002/30/EC) can be viewed on http://eur-lex.europa.eu/lexuriServ/lexuriServ.do?uri=com:2008:0066:fin:en:pdf

Heathrow economic benefits ‘negligible’
A report has undermined Government claims on economic benefits of further Heathrow expansion.
l The report on the economics of Heathrow expansion can be viewed on the HACAN website www.hacan.org.uk

Expansion unwelcome
Hacan also commissioned a public opinion poll which suggests Heathrow expansion is not welcomed by most. 18% of people support the Government’s policy of expanding UK airports and 62% back a reduction in the number of short-haul flights using Heathrow.
l Aviation and climate change: public opinion and the scope for action, by Woodnewton Associates can be viewed on www.hacan.org.uk

New CAA flightpaths
The Civil Aviation Authority is consulting on a fundamental shake up of flight paths and waiting stacks over a large area north of London.
l website www.consultation.nats.co.uk

In Parliament MP
Dan Rogerson asked the Government what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of low level decibel sound (sic) on public health.

Blood pressure rise when asleep
Further output from the Hyena noise and health effects study suggest that noise can raise blood pressure even while asleep.

Noise prompts 50,000 deaths a year
Close to half of all Europeans are regularly exposed to traffic noise levels that are potentially dangerous to health, a pressure group claims.
l Traffic noise reduction in Europe: health effects, social costs and technical and policy options to reduce road and rail traffic noise was commissioned by T&E and carried out by Dutch environmental consultants CE Delft www.transportenvironment.org

Performance indicator research released
Defra has published the findings of research that was commissioned to investigate the use of performance indicators for noise, Lacors reports.
l Performance indicators: A review of their use to monitor the management of environmental and neighbourhood noise can be viewed on http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=NO01117_6988_FRP.pdf

Delivery launch
The Noise Abatement Society in association with Wandsworth Borough Council and Doncaster MBC is formally launching its Silent Approach quiet delivery initiative at the Commercial Vehicle show in Birmingham on the 17th April.
l website www.noiseabatementsociety.com

101 service fragments
Home Office funding cuts have claimed more victims among the 101 hotline pilot authorities.

Helicopters come under fire
Helicopter noise is very much in the news so the recent IoA conference in Manchester inevitably attracted considerable interest. Held at Salford University’s revamped conference facilities, the event drew in a wide range of experts in this complex field.

Nuisance noise unpicked
Methods of dealing with nuisance noise are having to keep abreast with changes in behaviour, legislation and technology, reports Lisa Russell

Smoking advice
Lacors has published advice on the noise and nuisance implications of the smoking ban.
l Guidance to noise, licensing and smokefree issues can be downloaded from
www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/upload/17381.doc

Edinburgh seats
Edinburgh City Council is considering changing the current permit system for outdoor tables and chairs outside pubs and cafes.

130 chapters on noise
An 130-chapter book on noise and vibration has been published. The Handbook of noise and vibration control contains 1,600 pages and was edited by Malcolm Crocker. It costs £105.
l More details on website www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0471395994.html

Plymouth criticised
The Local Government Ombudsman has criticised Plymouth City Council for delays in taking enforcement action over non-compliance with planning conditions at industrial premises.
l www.lgo.org.uk

Wind approved
Three new wind farms have been granted consent by the Government – two onshore farms at Keadby, North Lincolnshire and another at Thorne, South Yorkshire. An offshore farm has been approved on Gunfleet Sands, Thames Estuary.

Hard shoulder boost
Hard shoulders are set to be used to improve capacity on motorways.

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Jan/Feb 2008 headlines (issue 19)

NI counts noise exposure
In a move that will further isolate England, Northern Ireland has completed its noise mapping. Welsh maps are due within days.
l Maps can be viewed on an interactive website – www.noiseni.co.uk

Isoniq elsewhere
Isoniq is working in Wales and Ireland, as well as in Northern Ireland
l www.isoniq.co.uk

Contours released for English airports
England’s busiest airports have been mapped. Results have been posted on Defra’s website.
l http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/ambient.htm

St Albans bar row spills over to High Court
St Albans District Council is pursuing a case to the High Court that will test a defendant’s ‘best practical means’ defence.

HYENA finds blood pressure link
A huge multi national study has shown that a 10db increase in long term exposure to noise increases the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure).
l The paper can be viewed via the Environmental Health Perspectives website www.ehponline.org/members/ 2007/10775/10775.pdf

WHO late on noise
World Health Organisation night noise guidelines, (NB October p1) which were to have been released last year, are not now expected to be released until later in Spring.

Costs outlined
The European Commission has produced a 300 page report setting out the external environmental costs of transport, including noise.
l The costing document can be viewed on  http://ec.europa.eu/transport/ road/policy/index_en.htm

Video capture
A large rise in complaints about late night rowdiness at pubs has prompted the launch of a video based
l More details: www.campbell-associates.co.uk

Flat tyres
European lobby group T&E reports that the European Commission has “once again” postponed proposals on limiting road noise from tyres by six months.
l www.transportenvironment.org

Health fillip
EPUK (formerly NSCA) has suggested that prime minister Gordon Brown considers spending more on the environment to improve public health.

New EPUK website
Environmental Protection UK has a new website. Close on the heals of its rebranding from NSCA
l EPUK’s new website can be found on www.environmental-protection.org.uk.

Deliveries on the quiet
Trials at a sensitive London location have shown that night-time deliveries to supermarkets need not wake the neighbours.

Microgeneration: councils talk
EPUK organised a conference to swap experiences of environmental benefits – and downsides – of domestic turbines and heat pumps

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December 2007 headlines (issue 18)

Bigger Heathrow, less noise
50% more planes, a sixth terminal and a third runway at Heathrow will not worsen noise nuisance, claims the Government.
l www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/ open/heathrowconsultation/

Inaudibility rejected at appeal
Birmingham City Council has lost an appeal mounted by a developer of 162 flats on the issue of ‘inaudibility’. The council feared that allowing housing in an entertainment zone would lead to nuisance actions putting pressure on local night spots.

Details emerge of Defra noise strategy
Details are emerging on the shape of Defra’s draft noise strategy.

Amber light for wind turbine relaxation
DCLG will lay regulations to take wind turbines and heat pumps out of the planning system – subject to further research on noise impacts.
l www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/householdermicrogeneration

Planning Bill
In the same batch of planning announcements as that on domestic microgeneration, a Planning Bill has been published that will streamline major infrastructure projects.

NI complaints up
Almost 12,000 noise complaints were recorded last year, a new report from DOE in Northern Ireland has revealed.
l www.northernireland.gov. uk/news/news-doe/news-doe-151107-noise-complaints-on.htm

Top tapper
A Norsonic tapping machine from Campbell Associates has been launched. l www.campbell-associates.co.uk Inspire consultation The Commission is consulting on the shape of the Inspire directive which seeks to harmonise data provision, for instance in noise maps.
l www.ec-gis.org/inspire/ public_consultations/metadata/index.cfm

Nuisance can now be logged online
Two new websites allow logging of nuisance noise via online maps. Mike Stigwood of MAS Environmental has launched www.makeyourownnoise.co.uk to allow complaints to be logged against commercial nuisances such as factories, theme parks and wind turbines.
   Meanwhile Croydon is using Google maps to allow complaints to be registered against barking dogs http://tinyurl.com/2knu77

Last chance saloon for 57LAeq
The concepts contained in the consultation on expansion of Heathrow, mostly based on ANASE, are hugely important and will be debated for years to come

ANASE: what it concluded:
The study makes clear that compared to the 1980s Aircraft Noise Index Study (ANIS), the role of aircraft movements has become much more critical – that annoyance is more closely related to the number of movements than to averaged noise (LAeq).
l http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/Anase/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/Anase/

Anase reviewers slam the researchers
A high profile and contentious spat between acousticians was published along with the ANASE study
l Attitudes to ANASE – Non SP Peer Review: www.dft.gov.uk/ consultations/open/heathrowconsultation/technicalreports/
Robust review
The Robust Details scheme, set up to improve sound insulation standards in homes, has passed its three year review.

Sustainable & robust
A masonry wall ‘robust detail’ has achieved credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes.
l www.robustdetails.com

Scottish grants reviewed
Most of Scotland’s local authorities have taken advantage of Scottish Government grants to launch services on anti-social neighbour noise nuisance. The first evaluation is now available.
l The report can be viewed on www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch

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November 2007 headlines (issue 17)

Anase challenges plane nuisance
The suitability of the LAeq measure is under scrutiny following the much delayed publication of the DfT’s Attitudes to noise from aviation sources in England (Anase) report.
l Anase can be viewed on www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/Anase

Standard planning conditions proposed for wind turbines
Dberr (formerly the DTi) has set out guidance on planning conditions for wind turbines in a bid to add more clarity to developers proposing wind farms.
l Onshore wind energy planning conditions guidance note can be viewed on www.planningrenewables.org. uk/cgi-bin/resource.cgi

News from the NSCA (now EPUK) noise update meeting held in Birmingham last month

Turner’s turning theory
Turning aircraft may be the cause of increased noise nuisance above London, Bureau Veritas’ Stephen Turner told the EPUK noise update conference held in Birmingham.

Mendip tackles entertainment noise
On top of Glastonbury rock festival, Mendip Council also deals with more mundane noise nuisance issues because the district is particularly quiet.

Asbos exposed
Asbo legislation is broadly defined and can be used to tackle varied types of anti social behaviour, legal expert Stuart MacDonald of Swansea University told delegates at EPUK’s noise update conference in Birmingham last month.
l ASBOs, a guide for the judiciary can be viewed www.jsboard.co.uk/publications/asbo_guidance_for_judiciary_edition_3.doc

Scottish services scrutinised
Scottish Government has released in-depth research into provision of council noise nuisance services.
l An evaluation of local authority antisocial neighbour noise nuisance services www.scotland.gov.uk/pub lications/2007/10/24132337/0

Councils scoop John Connell awards
The annual John Connell awards for effort in tackling noise have been announced.
l www.noiseabatementsociety.com

Tyre standards criticised by EPUK
Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) is calling for quieter tyre standards.

EPUK launched in Westminster
Environmental Protection UK is the new name for the National Society for Clean Air (NSCA).

Tube too loud
The UK Noise Association has completed its study into noise on London’s underground.
l The Mind the (gap) noise report can be viewed on www.ukna.org.uk

Appraisal ‘refresh’
The DfT’s key appraisal guide is set for a ‘refresh’.
l The NATA refresh: reviewing the new approach to transport appraisal is on www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/consulnatarefresh

Protest website
Hacan Clearskies and other pressure groups have launched a new anti expansion website to coordinate their objections
l www.stopheathrowexpansion.com

Book review: Manifesto for silence
Unusual take on noise nuisance of interest if you fancy an intellectual challenge
Manifesto for silence: confronting the politics and culture of noise, Stuart Sim, Edinburgh University Press £15.99.

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October 2007 headlines (issue 16)

Scots first with action plans
Scotland is the first administration in the UK to complete noise maps and consult on action planning.
l Maps can be viewed on www.scottishnoisemapping.org

Noise can help ADHD learning for children
Background noise can help the performance of children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Swedish researchers say.
l More details can be found on www.diva-portal.org/su/abstract.xsql?dbid=7040

Stone crusher fails at appeal
Protection of a tranquil area from noise has been instrumental in an appeal refusal for a stone crusher operation in Scotland.

Minister pressed to continue WHO research
UK Noise Campaigners have joined together to urge continued funding for World Health organisation research into noise and health.

Commission urged
NSCA is also pushing the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) to launch a probe into noise. The Commission recently consulted on what topics it should cover.

NSCA manages microgeneration
NSCA has produced guidance on domestic wind turbines. The group is organising a one day conference on the issue. It will be held in Manchester on 21st November.
l Small scale wind turbines – a guide is available from NSCA www.nsca.org.uk


News from Internoise held in Istanbul last month

WHO to agree 30dbA for night?
Dutch noise expert Martin van den Berg revealed early details of thinking behind the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) proposed night noise guidelines. These will complement daytime guidelines set in 2000.

Variable speed yields minor benefits
The introduction of variable speed controls on the M42 motorway in the West Midlands has led to a minor, barely significant reduction in noise.

Aircraft noise linked to mental health
Japanese researchers say that aircraft noise may be linked to mental health, especially during the evening period.

WHO: noise kills 3% ?
Noise could be responsible for killing 3% of those with weak hearts, the New Scientist has reported.

101 for London
London may trial use of the non-emergency 101 number for noise complaints.

Anase: more waiting
The Government has been asked in Parliament when it expects to publish the results of the Attitudes to noise from aviation sources in England (Anase) study.

York prioritises
York City Council has responded to the findings of the Rogers Review of Local Authority Regulatory Priorities during a meeting of its neighbourhood services panel.

Racing noise debated
Motor racing measurements are among topics to be discussed at the Institute of Acoustics Autumn conference organised by the noise and vibration engineering group.
l IoA autumn conference: Advances in noise and vibration engineering to be held in Oxford on 17-18 October, website www.ioa.org.uk

Turbine disturbs
Ryedale Council has received noise complaints from neighbours living near a domestic wind turbine.

Louth turbine agreed
A domestic wind turbine has won planning permission on appeal.

Robust Details boosts web presence
Robust Details Ltd has revamped its website which now features up to date information about gaining credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes using Robust Details, in a move to make the scheme more accessible to a wider audience.
l www.robustdetails.com

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Aug/Sept 2007 headlines (issue 15)

Wind expert quits thinktank
Wind turbine noise expert Dick Bowdler has quit a government working party. He says the Noise Working Group has become “redundant” in the light of the Government’s endorsement of a Salford University report that claims that rhythmic noises from wind turbines are negligible and unlikely to be a nuisance. The government says Salford’s report “eases concerns over wind turbine noise”. Bowdler says it is misleading.
Editor's opinion here

Sainsbury fine for allowing cruise nuisance
Crawley Borough Council has successfully prosecuted Sainsbury’s supermarket for allowing boy racers to tear around a superstore car park causing a noise nuisance.

Agency misses road quietening target
The Highways Agency has missed its target for cutting noisy road surfaces.

Pub generation
Planning rules on microgeneration are set to be relaxed for small businesses as is being done for domestic properties.

Speed cut proposed in Bristol
Bristol City Council has produced a study showing a speed cut on the urban M32 motorway could reduce noise and air pollution.
l Bristol City Council’s M32 noise and air quality study can be viewed on www.bristol. gov.uk/redirect/?oid=Category-id-56555

Council indicators omit noise
Government has spelled out what it expects local authorities to do on the environment – and a new set of indicators. While climate change and air quality is included, noise is not.
l The proposed indicators can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localgovindicators/index.htm

NSCA agrees name change
NSCA members have voted at a special general meeting to change the group’s name to Environmental Protection UK (EPUK).
l More details of voting issues on www.nsca.org.uk

Good and bad for air contours
Noise contours for BAA’s London airports show a mixed picture. DfT reports that Heathrow noise contours grew.
l www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/nec/secnoise06/

Richmond first with remote concert monitor
The London Borough of Richmond is the first council to use Bruel and Kjaer’s sound testing equipment with a wireless link to monitor concert noise levels and reduced the number of staff it usually needs at this type of event.
l www.bksv.co.uk

Little red book launched
A “Little Red Book” has been launched for acousticians. The 225-page pocketbook (little larger than a pocket diary) focuses on environmental acoustics and building acoustics.
l email richard.watson @ hepworth-acoustics.co.uk

Bristol rapped
Bristol City Council has been criticised by the Local Authority Ombudsman for failing to properly consult on noise and other impacts of a waste transfer facility that caused a nuisance.

Leg up for EHOs
Environmental health officers living in London, the south- east and east of England will be eligible for key worker housing, the Department of Communities and Local Government has confirmed.

RCEP escapes
An independent review of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution suggests it may be retained.
l www.defra.gov.uk/environment/rcep/index.htm

Tyre plea from NSCA
NSCA has written to the Government demanding a review of the EU tyre directive.

Scotland maps
Scotland is holding a conference detailing its noise mapping progress. The conference will be held in Edinburgh on 4th September.
l For further details email noise @ scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Lothian uses meters
Lothian Police is using sound meters in a bid to quieten down modified cars. Noise Bulletin asked for more details but the force refused to comment.

Ten pilots chosen
Ten local authorities have been chosen to pilot more localised control of spending priorities including nuisance and noise.

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July 2007 headlines (issue 14)

Noise ‘burden’ to be resisted
A taskforce has warned against adoption of noise performance indicators.
l The Lifting the burdens task force review of Defra can be viewed on www.lga.gov.uk/ download.asp?path=/Documents/Publication/ LBTF_DEFRA.pdf

New minister ‘chooses’ noise
Tony Blair’s departure as Prime Minister has seen incoming PM Gordon Brown shake up ministerial positions. The expected merger of Defra and the energy side of the DTi failed to materialise.

New name, new mission?
The National Society for Clean Air (NSCA) is close to deciding on whether to change its name and adopt a new strategic plan.

Home turbine revamp fears
NSCA has roundly criticised plans to deregulate installation of domestic wind turbines. DCLG earlier this year launched a consultation suggesting that turbines need not require planning permission if they met certain noise limits (NB April p1).
l www.nsca.org.uk

Tough New York noise code enters law
New York’s new noise code came into force on July 1st.
l The code can be viewed on http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/noise_code.pdf

Mediation review released
A review of mediation services has been released by Defra.
l The report Review of use of mediation services by local authorities and housing associations Defra Contract NANR 197 can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/index.htm

Tube announcements considered too loud
Noise campaigners are seeking to quieten London tube announcements following the serving of an abatement notice on London Underground.
l www.ukna.org.uk

EU programme omission
European pressure group EEB is highlighting the omission of noise from core European policy.
l EEB response to the mid-term review of the sixth Community Environment Action Programme, www.eeb.org/publication/EEB-response-to-the-Mid-Term-Review-of-6EAP-130607.pdf

Acoustic firms highlighted
A building website is listing firms specialising in acoustics. Acoustic consultants are listed by county on The Construction Centre website. Over 200 firms are listed.
l www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk

More guidance for licensing
New 2003 Licensing Act guidance has been released.
l Revised Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 – June 07 can be viewed on www.culture. gov.uk/what_we_do/Alcohol_entertainment/licensing_act_2003_explained/

Glastonbury over
This year’s Glastonbury festival has passed with few complaints from neighbours but reports that bands were too quiet.

Update for pop code?
Experts are being asked for comments on an update of the Code of practice on environmental noise control at concerts.

Action week: who did what
Local authorities around the country used the annual Noise Action Week to educate, advise and even have a bit of fun.

Coventry expansion rejected
Expansion of Coventry Airport has been rejected on noise grounds.
l www.communities.gov.uk/pub/382/coventryairportsiskinpark

Agency wades into Heathrow growth debate
The Environment Agency has tabled its reservations about further expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Airports get advance warning from PSDH?
The 2M grouping of London authorities opposed to Heathrow expansion are complaining that airport operator BAA has been given advance access to data on noise.
l www.2MGroup.org.uk
Quest for peace and quiet images
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ environmental health team is running a Peace and tranquillity photograph competition aimed at raising awareness of noise issues in the borough.
l Details of the competition can be found on www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/ templates/news/detail.cfm?newsid=7750

Noise Update 2007
NSCA is finalising its line up for the Noise Update one day conference to be held on 10th October at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Topics to be covered include: l Noise action planning – where are we now?;
l Online booking www.nsca.org.uk/pages/events_and_training/index.cfm

Merton rap for stair nuisance
The London Borough of Merton has been criticised by the Local Authority Ombudsman for noise nuisance from a metal staircase on a new block of flats.
l www.lgo.org.uk

Smoking ban prompts warning
England has joined Wales and Scotland with a ban on smoking in the workplace. NSCA has warned that the ban might lead to extra noise for pub neighbours.

Industry awards to reward noise
The inaugural Rushlight Awards have been launched to promote and celebrate the achievements of the leading UK and Irish environmental technology and innovation.
l www.rushlightawards.co.uk

Green expenditure revealed by Defra
Defra has released its 2005 environmental protection expenditure survey.
l Environmental protection expenditure survey by industry 2005 can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk

Further delays to powers
Parliament has been told that there will be further delays to implementation of Noise Act powers to licensed premises. Defra still can’t say when the notification process will be completed.
l www.defra.gov.uk/environ ment/noise/noiseact.htm

European annoyance
43% of people living in the UK reported substantial noise annoyance at home.
l The questionnaire is available on the website www.ifado.de/silence.

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June 2007 headlines (issue 12)

All change for planning
The widely anticipated shake up of the planning system is outlined in a new White Paper.
l Planning for a sustainable future www.communities.gov. uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1510669

PPS23 vulnerable?
 Rumours have been circulating that planning policy statements and guidance on specific issues (such as PPG24 on noise and PPS23 on air quality) will be axed in favour of more overarching policy statements contained in an expanded PPS1 Delivering sustainable development.

House closures
Councils are to be given powers to close houses due to excess noise. The powers will be like those given to the police to close crack dens.
l http://press.homeoffice. gov.uk/press-releases/ new-house-closure-powers-asb?version=1

Smoke shelter refused
Noise and nuisance fears have scuppered plans to erect a smoking shelter at an Asda store in Ellesmere Port.

BAA lets Londoners track loud planes
BAA has launched a new website that will enable local residents around its Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports to track planes and find out which ones are making excess noise. The software is similar to that used at other airports (such as East Midlands).
l BAA’s noise and web tracking can be seen at: www.heathrowairport.com/noise www.stanstedairport.com/noise www.gatwickairport.com/noise

Ecolabels for planes
Budget airline Flybe has launched an ecolabel for its flights.
l Flybe’s ecolabels can be seen on www.flybe.com/ environment/eco-labels.htm

Trains: plans to make them quieter
The European Commission is consulting on the need to reduce noise from trains.
l http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/ener gy_transport/home/consultation/transport_en.htm

Annoyance due to anxiety, not noise
Annoyance may be more related to anxiety traits rather than noise or air quality, Danish researchers suggest.

Heathrow footprint spreads
Flight numbers at Heathrow are likely to rise to 800,000 a year, the Government has admitted.
l www.hacan.org.uk

Operation Torque tackles noisy bikes
Noise Action Week saw hundreds of UK authorities carrying out innovative events.
l www.nsca.org.uk

Port loses appeal
A scrap metal exporter operating from Brightlingsea Harbour in Essex has lost its appeal for extended operating hours.

Grants restart
Grants for people who want to install micro-wind turbines on their homes have been made available again – albeit with tighter conditions.
l More details on www.low carbonbuildings.org.uk

For the record...
Environment minister Ben Bradshaw has told Parliament that he will issue a combined national noise strategy, covering both environmental and neighbourhood noise, “by the end of 2007”.

Stansted inquiry opens
Noise arguments will be aired as the inquiry opens into plans to expand Stansted airport. BAA wants an extra 75,000 flights a year and the complete removal of the annual 25m limit on the number of passengers.

Rehis seeks feedback
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland is urging councils to respond to a Scottish Executive consultation on environmental health.
l Consultation on Environment and health Strategic Framework, can be viewed on www.rehis.org

Mosquito backlash
MPs have asked Home Office ministers whether there are any environmental impacts or health and safety implications from the increasing use of the Mosquito ultrasonic youth deterrent device.

May 2007 headlines (issue 12)

Inspector rejects noise fears
A planning inspector has rejected noise and air quality fears in an appeal judgement in Sandwell.

Councils plot action week gimmicks ....
Noise Action Week – 21st to 25th May – is looming.
l www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

... as Prime Minister’s petition is set up
To mark Noise Action Week, consultant Sanctum has launched an online petition on noise.
l  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/noisenuisance/

UK is number three UK ranks third best in terms of domestic noise pollution in new Europe-wide survey released to mark International Noise Awareness Day held last month on 25th April.
l  The full version of the AEG-Electrolux Noise report can found on
www.electrolux .com/noisereport

Tranquillity: a better way
NSCA has set out its thoughts on tranquillity. It has produced a position paper following publication of a TRL report commissioned by Defra that suggested identifying tranquil areas, then knocking out all but a few on cost grounds.

Quiet life aims to cut domestic machine din
Noise campaigner Val Weedon has relaunched her Quiet Life guide.
l  www.thequietguide.co.uk

Germans show off active window technology
Researchers in Germany have devised a window that offers relief from noise pollution, reports the ICE.
l More details on the website www.ice.org.uk/knowledge/spec_news.asp?ARTICLE_ID=1858

Choppers heads research list
A study into helicopter noise is proposed in the latest list of noise research projects planned by Defra (see news, below).

Research: Defra’s (very long!) wish list
Each year, Defra publishes a long list of noise research projects it wants to carry out. Usually relatively few are carried out due to financial constraints – and Defra overspending and subsequent moratorium’s have taken their toll on the programme.
l www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/index.htm

CAA outlines procedure for airspace changes
Updated guidance on the application of the Airspace Change Process has been published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
l The document is available on the CAA website at: www.caa.co.uk/cap725

Wind up for turbines
Wind farm noise was the theme of a lively workshop held in Swaffham by the Institute of Acoustics

Consultation: early views on wind
Noise Bulletin asked some experts what they thought about noise aspects of domestic wind turbines contained in last months consultation on deregulation of such turbines. Views were mixed.

Sustainability starts at home
Acoustic performance plays an important part in a building's contribution towards the creation of sustainable developments, says Lisa Russell.

Snap meeting on wind
The spate of planning applications for domestic wind turbines – and planned removal of the need to get planning permission– has prompted NSCA and the Institute of Acoustics to organise a meeting to be held in Birmingham on June 1st
l www.ioa.org.uk.

In Parliament
The Government has confirmed in Parliament that it has no intention of ring fencing money for council noise abatement services.

Boy racer Asbos
Aberdeen City Council has warned anti-social drivers that they face tough measures to bar them from city streets in a bid to cut noise and disturbance.

Lacors plea on stats
Local authority group Lacors has urged councils to complete the annual statistical questionnaire on noise enforcement activity.
l website www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/ContentDetails.aspx?id=16163

Glastonbury go ahead
The Glastonbury Festival has won a four year licence from Mendip council.

Vibration studied
Defra has released a report aimed to develop a method by which residential exposure to vibration can be assessed.
l Human response to vibration in residential environments
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/research/index.htm#research

Quarrying noise
Hepworth Acoustics has updated a database of noise from quarrying machinery. l Update of noise database for prediction of noise on construction and open sites (weblink as above).

Turbine request
Mole Valley’s Gillian Rose is seeking a domestic wind turbine to study for her IoA diploma. If there is a suitable one on your patch,
l email Gillian.Rose@ molevalley.gov.uk

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April 2007 headlines (issue 11)

Home wind turbine boost ...
The Government is boosting small scale renewable energy schemes – including domestic wind turbines – through increased grants and relaxation of planning laws.
l Domestic installation of microgeneration equipment: a review of the permitted development regulations www.communities.gov.uk/ index.asp?id=1504866

... but noise fears prompt council action
Potential noise problems from domestic turbines dominated discussions at last month’s NSCA spring workshop. The reaction prompted the spontaneous setting up of a special interest working group by Alick Natton of Vale of White Horse District Council.
l Natton is coordinating an email ring: alick.natton@ whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Map areas set
Defra has set out the areas that will need mapping in detail as required by European directives. Areas are more fragmented than at first imagined.
l Environmental noise (identification of noise sources) (England) regulations 2007 can be viewed on www.opsi.gov.uk/si/em2007/uksiem_20070415_en.pdf

TAG: hindrance to development?
A seemingly obscure guidance document could make it more difficult for developers to get their schemes approved on noise grounds says Lis Stedman
l www.webtag.org.uk (noise section)

Noise not a national priority
A review of local authority priorities has said that noise is not a national priority.
l The Rogers Review can be seen on www.cabinetoffice. gov.uk/regulation/reviewing_regulation/rogers_review/index.asp

Weak Alton Towers order deal to stand
An appeal against a ‘weak’ nuisance order made against Alton Towers has failed.
l www.richardbuxton.co.uk/ reference/view.php?table=transcripts&id=182&flag=name

Boston recounts domestic turbine nuisance
Boston is one of a growing number of authorities that have already dealt with domestic wind turbine nuisance complaints.

Council rapped for ignoring PPG24
The Local Authority Ombudsman has criticised South Cambridgeshire Council for allowing housing to be sited next to a noisy factory. The factory fears that it will be liable for any future noise nuisance claims from new residents.

News from the nsca spring workshop held in didcot

EU mapping: hope for Defra backtrack on local involvement
The NSCA spring workshop heard from both English and Scottish governments on the progress of action planning.

Mediation: how is it going?
Stuart Dryden of consultant Rupert Taylor revealed details of a study into mediation carried out for Defra.

Turbine studied
Bureau Veritas’s Gwyn Mapp told the conference of his personal research study into a domestic wind turbine in south London.

Scots share smoking secrets
Scotland has had a smoking ban since last year, experience there is set to be repeated in England from this summer.

Licensing problems outlined by Horton
Independent environmental health officer Keith Horton outlined many difficulties with the new Licensing Act – for which revised guidance is due out shortly. Horton told the NSCA audience he was “quite concerned about the way licensing is going”.

Soundscapes take centre stage
Acousticians, social scientists and artists alike are becoming more interested the role that soundscapes play in urban life, says Lisa Russell from the recent GLA Soundscape conference.

Licensing: time to change?
As the DCMS concludes a consultation on possible revisions to licensing guidelines, Lis Stedman talks to EHOs about how the process is working

Defra reorganises?
Defra’s noise team is set to undergo yet another reorganisation.

Award scheme
A new environmental award scheme has been launched.
l www.rushlightawards.co.uk

BAA ‘fast tracks’
Airport operator BAA Ferrovial says it is to ‘twin track’ plans for extra runways at Heathrow and Stansted.

Fit for purpose
The Institute of Acoustics is holding a one day meeting on 11 July 2007 to answer the question How good a measurement should I make to ensure it is fit for purpose?
l www.ioa.org.uk

Code includes sound
The Code for Sustainable Homes released by the Government this month mainly deals with carbon emissions but also focuses on health and well being and the impacts of external sources, such as noise pollution, on quality of life.
l www.robustdetails.com.

Boost for quiet roads
The Highways Agency has said that next year there will be a five fold increase in amount of lower noise road surfacing it will lay.
l Highways Agency business plan 2007-2008 website www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/14772.aspx

Horns strangled
The Railway Safety and Standards Board has accepted pressure to reduce nuisance and is introducing new measures intended to reduce the impact of loud train horns.

Action week reminder
Noise Action Week (21-25 May) is looming and NSCA is reminding participants that support materials are available.
l www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

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March 2007 headlines (issue 10)

RCEP sidelines urban noise
A high profile report on the urban environment says that noise is “outside the thrust” of its study into the urban environment.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l www.rcep.org.uk

Wind turbine rejected on appeal
A planning application for a wind turbine in a domestic garden in Aylesbury Vale has been turned down on appeal.

Multiple noises
A consortium assembled by Addiscombe Environmental Consultants Ltd, comprising Ken Collins of KC Environmental, Bernard Berry of BEL, Nicole Porter, and Ian Flindell of IHF Associates have been awarded a research contract by Defra on the effects of noise from more than one source.

Courts allowed to ignore EHOs
A judgement has confirmed that courts are entitled not to follow the views of professional council officers when deciding whether noise amounts to a statutory nuisance.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l London Borough of Hackney Vs Moshe Rottenberg [2007] All ER (D) 174 (Jan)

Westminster wins street noise case
Westminster City Council has won arguments in court that it had powers to control noise from a shop window.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l Westminster City Council v French Connection Retail Ltd [2005] Env LR 42. (Queens Bench Division).

Serve abatement notice first, Newcastle told
Newcastle City Council has lost a High Court case and been told it should have first served an abatement notice on a farmer causing a nuisance.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l The Barns (NE) Ltd v Newcastle Upon Tyne CC [2006] Env LR 25 (Court of Appeal, Civ. Div.)

Kenwood stopper
Kenwood concerts have been cancelled with promoter English Heritage claiming that noise restrictions are too tight.

Councils prepare for action
Local authorities across the UK are making plans for this year’s Noise Action Week. Many local authorities set up eyecatching media-friendly noise activities for the period.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

Solar noise barriers “not cost effective”
Combined noise barrier and solar panels are unlikely to be cost effective.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l M27 trial of highway noise barriers as solar energy generators, TRL report PPR178, D Carder and K Barker is available from Janet Brown, TRL Publications Unit tel 01344 770297

Persistent complainers
The Information Commissioner has struck another blow to persistent complainers in a new ruling.
west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l www.ico.gov.uk

Warnings on Heathrow routes
The new council 2M grouping fighting the expansion of Heathrow says large areas of north and west London will suffer increased aircraft noise if the third Heathrow runway goes ahead.
l 2M (referring to two million residents) website is on www.wandsworth.gov.uk/ Home/MyWandsworth/ Newsextra/pr1.htm

‘Noisiest city’ report annoys
A report ranking cities has concluded that Newcastle upon Tyne is the noisiest urban area in the UK.

First shot fired in anti Heathrow battle
As promised, protesters against the further expansion of Heathrow have started direct action to resist the expansion by disrupting a meeting.

How and when to use the WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) noise guidelines are highly influential but their application often leads to disagreements. Lisa Russell reports.

Pro-bono aid Sanctum style
Questioning the decisions of authorities and the courts can be a minefield – Sanctum provides an interesting way through, finds Lis Stedman

Quiet areas and vibration reports released
Defra has released two research reports. One was TRL’s study into quiet areas setting out possible ways that tranquil areas could be identified. A second looks at a methodology for assessing a method by which human exposure to vibration in residential environments can be assessed.
l Research into quiet areas: recommendations for identification, TRL report PPR158 and Research into human response to vibration in residential environments (NO01106) can be viewed on Defra’s science pages www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/Default.asp

Slight growth in noise contours for 2005
DfT has released its yearly review of noise contours at the three main London airports.
l www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/ aviation/environmentalissues/nec/secnoise05/

Tyre directive delay
European transport and environment lobby group T&E is getting increasingly concerned at the failure of the Commission to produce a promised directive on noise from car tyres.
l www.transportenvironment.org

Noise workshop talks
NSCA has released its final line up of speakers for its popular spring noise workshop to be held in Didcot later this month (15th & 16th March).

Pipe down again
A ten minute Bill has been introduced into the House of Lords aiming to prohibit piped music and the showing of television programmes in the public areas of hospitals.

MVA win at Heathrow
BAA has commissioned MVA Consultancy to design, build, implement, and support a system to manage BAA Heathrow’s community noise, blight, and vortex schemes.
l www.mvaconsultancy.com

Belgians win order
Belgian air protesters have won a court battle against local authorities.

RAC wants quiet roads
The RAC Foundation has teamed up with noise campaigners to call on the Government to reinstate funding for its programme to resurface concrete roads for noise prevention reasons.

Hounslow demands data
The London Borough of Hounslow has approved its first domestic micro-wind turbine subject to a noise report.

Turbine tests
Researchers are mounting two wind turbines on top of a block of Southwark flats in a bid to find out about their noise disturbance potential.

Wind debate
The Institute of Acoustics is organising a one day conference on wind turbine noise.
l IoA’s meetings can be viewed on www.ioa.org.uk

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January/February 2007 headlines (issue 9)

Planning for home turbines
Local authorities are increasingly facing requests from residents to install domestic wind turbines. Some are carrying out tests to see what the noise outputs are. (Noise Bulleting this month contains a news story and a eature explaining what local authorities are doing about home electricity generation in terms of noise nuisance conditions).

Trafford Housing Trust wins ASBI
The Trafford Housing Trust has taken out an ASBI against a noisy tenant. ASBIs are anti social behaviour injunctions as opposed to orders.

Moto injunction
A noisy motorcross circuit at Matcham Park near Bournemouth has been at the centre of a planning appeal.

Measurement not needed for noise order
A quad bike safari business in Cornwall has lost its appeal against a conviction for breaching an abatement notice.

Persistent moaners: what to do
The Local Government Ombudsman has issued advice on how to deal with persistent complainers.
l Guidance note on ‘unreasonably persistent’ complainants and ‘unreasonable complainant behaviour’ can be viewed on www.lgo.org.uk/worddocs/guidance-note-UP-comps.doc

IoA welcomes sustainable homes code
The Institute of Acoustics has welcomed inclusion of sound insulation in the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes.
l The IoA is holding a two-day conference on The sound of sustainability – going for gold” on 24 and 25 April 2007 at the De Vere University Arms Hotel in Cambridge. website www.ioa.org.uk

Train horns: curfew fails to please
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is proposing a night time curfew as part of a package to reduce train horn nuisance.
l RSSB website www.rssb.co.uk/comrelations.asp

2007: year of the strategy?
2007 is “probably the most crucial year for noise reduction” according to the UK Noise Association.

Progress report prompts battle charge
Protesters have reacted with dismay to Government confirmation that it will support continued expansion of air travel.
Local authorities were more measured, forming the ‘2M’ group
l www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/MyWandsworth/Newsextra/2mgroup.htm

Exhaust noise: study into measurement
The House of Commons has been told that DfT is “considering” research into the growing problem of excessive car exhaust noise.

Traffic noise probe
UKNA has set up a traffic and vehicle noise working group to look at the issue of noisy vehicles, including ‘boom box’ cars. It is currently carrying out an online questionnaire on the subject. www.ukna.org.uk

Keeping arrival noise down
Government and the aviation industry have cooperated to produce a code of practice to reduce noise from arriving aircraft.
l Noise from arriving aircraft www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/dft_aviation_613678.pdf

Welsh consult
The Welsh Assembly is consulting on its regulations for extending Noise Act powers to pubs and clubs.
l http://new.wales.gov.uk/ consultations/currentconsultation/envandcouncurrcons/1054147/?lang=en

TRL’s toolkit
TRL has produced a traffic noise reduction toolkit.

Orchestra noise probe
A professional orchestra piloted guidance for the music and entertainment sector on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations, a Health and Safety Executive report suggests.
l More details www.hsenew s.com/2006/11/06/orchestra-pilot-of-the-noise-guidance/

Flight noise tool
A tool for the calculation of sound power levels of airplanes during vertical flyover from NPD-SEL data can be downloaded from the Imagine website.
l www.imagine-project.org

Action week dates
Noise Action Week will take place on May 21st—May 25th – although funding problems remain.
l www.noiseactionweek.org.uk/

Tyre directive pressure
Lobby groups are limbering up to influence the European Commission to tighten the tyre directive.

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December 2006 headlines (issue 8)

Tranquillity: defined by cost?
Increasing focus on tranquillity has left Defra and its advisors struggling to work out how to define it. Defra may compile its sites based on affordability rather than noise or tranquillity.

Noisy boy racer catches Worthing ASBO
Worthing Borough Council has succeeded in getting an Asbo against a noisy boy racer.

News from the Institute of Acoustics Autumn Conference

More flak for single number
Defra’s use of a single number for noise disturbance from pubs and clubs has come under criticism at an Institute of Acoustics conference.

Euro-approval delays number implementation
Defra says that it has agreed that the Noise Act threshold for fixed penalties will be 34dBA – but that there has been a delay in putting it into regulation.

Guidelines due: Waiting for Godot?
The long awaited noise impact assessment guidelines may soon be published. Author Stephen Turner of Bureau Veritas admitted that the process was rather like ‘waiting for Godot’.

Maps. Little benefit till 2017
Policy makers will have to wait until 2017 before noise maps are able to yield useful data on the noise climate, Acustica’s Simon Shilton has claimed.

Cranford abandonment: doubles annoyance?
Abandonment of the Heathrow ‘Cranford Agreement’ could have huge implications for the population living underneath the flightpath.

WHO switches emphasis to soundscapes
A key architect of World Health Organisation guidelines on noise has suggested that WHO guidelines are not likely to be met – and that a move towards looking to improving ‘soundscapes’ is needed to improve health.

Conference proceedings
Proceedings from the Autumn Conference are available from Linda Canty, Institute of Acoustics 01727 848195 www.ioa.org.uk

Stansted setback
Stansted Airport has had its expansion plans refused by Uttlesford District Council, the local planning authority.

Engineering award
The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) has awarded its Engineering Medal to Brian Hemsworth for his contribution to the understanding of railway noise and vibration. The medal was presented by Colin English, President of the Institute of Acoustics, at its recent Autumn Conference in Oxford.
l www.ioa.org.uk

Scotland guide is draft
Further to our report last month, we’ve been asked to emphasise that the Scottish Noise Management Guide remains in draft form and open to consultation.
l It can be viewed on www.scotland.gov.uk/ Publications/2005/10/ 2192231/22434

MPs study motorbikes
The House of Commons Transport Committee is to conduct an inquiry into the Government’s Motorcycling Strategy, with oral evidence sessions being held in early 2007.

Classroom deafness
One in five children struggle to distinguish speech in the classroom says RNID.
l RNID’s specially developed hearing check can be taken over the telephone by calling 0845 600 5555. It is part of Breaking the sound barrier, www.breakingthesound barrier.org.uk

AES accreditation
AES has been granted accreditation for its sound insulation testing service by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.
l www.aes-labs.co.uk
 

2006 website review

November 2006 headlines (issue 7)

Maps no good for Leeds
Leeds City Council has decided to produce its own noise maps – it says Defra’s strategic noise maps will be of little use for its local needs.

Charge mooted for London choppers
A charge for helicopters using London’s skies is one option contained in the report of the London Assembly into helicopters. The report followed an inquiry in summer.

Another night flight challenge
The London boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth are among a group seeking a judicial review of the Government’s Heathrow night flights policy. A similar challenge failed when taken to Europe three year ago.

Defra late say Lords
Lords MPs are considering whether Defra has failed to adequately transpose the Environmental Noise Directive.
l www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ ldmerit/250/250.pdf

News from the NSCA Noise update conference held in Birmingham

Hartnell spells out regs progress
Regulations are now laid in England and the three regions, Defra’s Wendy Hartnell told NSCA’s noise update conference held in Birmingham.

Hepworth: much work to do on mapping
Peter Hepworth outlined a consultants’ view of noise mapping. Hepworth was involved in one of the early maps released by Defra.

NSCA advises on being a quiet neighbour
NSCA – with support from Defra – has released a new guide aiming to help residents keep neighbour noise down.
l www.quieterhomes.org

Drink laws cause a stink
Jonathan Lartice of Defra fielded criticism from local authorities about changes to the pub licensing system. With the Home Office and DCLG departments unable to attend, it was left to Defra to defend changes that many considered unworkable.

Ovens now kitchen culprit, says Electrolux
So much effort has been focused on making kitchen appliances quiet that cookers have been left behind, says Electrolux’s Marco Clara.

Moorhouse moots low frequency ‘clinics’
Salford University’s Andy Moorhouse outlined work carried out for Defra on producing guidance for local authorities investigating low frequency noise.

Encams happy
Environmental lobbyists Encams reported back on the progress of its Noise Concern campaign.

CPRE fuels tranquillity debate
Countryside campaigners CPRE say they have developed a new way to map rural tranquillity.
l The maps can be viewed on www.cpre.org.uk

‘Silent’ plane progress
Researchers from Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they are one step closer to producing quieter aircraft. T
l http://silentaircraft.org

Leeds win John Connell award once again
Leeds City Council has won this year’s John Connell award – for the third time.  Meanwhile Huntingdonshire was highly commended for its education work with children with environmental health officers going to schools. Bromley London Borough won the innovation award for its ‘safe and sound’ scheme. The enterprise award went to Shetland Islands Council
l www.noiseabatementsociety.com

UKNA polls firework feeling
The UK Noise Association has launched an on-line survey to assess public support for banning the sale of fireworks.
l www.ukna.org.uk

ANC completes 50,000th test
The Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) has celebrated completion of the 50,000th test of compliance to Part E sound insulation requirements.
l website www.association-of-noise-consultants.co.uk

No rap for Amber
The local authority Ombudsman has said that a skate park is noisy – but Amber Valley did not break the rules by allowing it.

Workshop on presenting mapping information to the public

UK hosts mapping thinktank
An international workshop held in London looked at ways that noise maps can be effectively presented to the public. There has been criticism that noise maps take much time and money to produce, and are posted on the web but then languish with little interest from the public.

GLA’s Bloomfield in blue sky thinking
The Greater London Authority provided the noise mapping conference with its usual insightful ‘blue sky’ thinking.

101 in trouble
The single non-emergency 101 number may be scrapped.

Silent delivery code
Guidance on quieter deliveries has been agreed by the truck industry in a bid to ease delivery curfews on stores. T
l Delivering the goods: A toolkit for improving deliveries is at www.fta.co.uk.

UK lays regs to enact directive
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all now joined England in bringing regulations into operation to enact the European Noise Directive (END).

‘Bible’ produced at last
Publication of the updated noise management guide gives local authorities the opportunity for greater consistency

October 2006 headlines (issue 6)

Regs laid – concern remains
Defra has laid regulations enacting the European Noise Directive.
l Environmental Noise (England) Regulations 2006 can be viewed on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/noise/ambient.htm

NSCA raises licensing fears
NSCA has commented on proposed changes to apply the Noise Act to licensed premises

Consultants win EHO debate
Consultants meet the needs of local authorities, an Institute of Acoustics Central Branch debate concluded in Stevenage last month.

DIY wind power
DIY retailer B&Q is now selling domestic wind turbines in its stores. For £1,498 including installation, shoppers can buy a Windsave 1kw system.
l www.windsave.com.

Home turbine agreed
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has dismissed noise objections to a domestic wind turbine at a house in the borough.

Scotland makes a start on noise mapping
A team led by consultant Hamilton & McGregor has been chosen by the Scottish Executive to carry out provide noise mapping Services in Scotland.

Noise Bulletin reports from Low Frequency 2006 held in Bristol

Turbine disease link refuted
Wind turbines are unlikely to cause vibro acoustic disease as claimed by some objectors, last month’s Low Frequency 2006 international conference held in Bristol was told.

Quiet means more low frequency nuisance
Reducing ambient sound may prompt more people to be disturbed by low frequency noise, the Bristol conference was told.

Purring: low frequency noise is good for you?
US research presented to the Low Frequency 2006 conference suggests that low frequency noise has significant healing properties.

l Proceedings
Proceedings from the Low Frequency 2006 conference are available from organiser @lowfrequency2006.org

News from the UKNA Within these walls conference in Edinburgh

MEP criticises noise inaction
MEP Brian Adam criticised noise policy at the opening of the UK Noise Association’s Within these walls conference on sound insulation held at Napier University last month.

Ashton counts true cost of housing noise
Ron Ashton manages houses for Angus Council and told the UKNA conference: “Noise is the big one for us making up to 76% of complaints. Arbitration and mediation hasn’t worked at all, costing £800 per case with a 35% success rate and taking a long time.

Call for young persons nominations
The Institute of Acoustics is inviting nominations for the second round of its ‘Young Persons’ Award for Innovation in Acoustical Engineering’. The biennial prize is sponsored by IAC and the closing date is 30 March 2007. Judges will be looking for entries that are: innovative and inventive; feasible and practicable; money-saving; green; end-user friendly; time-saving and that are improvements to existing processes.
l www.ioa.org.uk/medals.asp

RSD progress
Robust Standard Details Ltd says 97% of new homes it tests pass or exceed new Part E sound insulation requirements.
l www.robustdetails.com

Colchester’s first Asbo
Colchester Borough Council has secured its first Asbo based on noise.

Transport assessment
DfT is consulting on new transport assessment guidance for developers.
l Guidance on transport assessment can be seen on www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_612257.pdf

IoA spring call
IoA’s spring conference will focus on the up and coming Olympics in 2012 and other related issues and it is calling for papers on topics including sustainability, venues/facades, transport, modular construction, urban regeneration, update on schools & BB101, and sound insulation
l www.ioa.org.uk

Good neighbours
The DCLG (former ODPM) has set out how good neighbour agreements can be used to help cut anti social behaviour and noise.
l Using good neighbour agreements www.communities.gov.uk/embedded_object.asp?id=1502189

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Aug/Sept 2006 headlines (issue 5)

Website review: see our list of top non-local authority sites and top ten local authority sites

Wind ‘modulation’ annoys
A DTi new report has cleared wind turbines of causing widespread low frequency noise nuisance. But it does concede modulation (that sounds like low frequency noise) might be a problem.
l The measurement of low frequency noise at three UK wind farms by Hayes McKenzie can be viewed on www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/publications/ page31267.html

UKNA warn on wind noise
The UK Noise Association (UKNA) has warned that badly sited wind turbines can cause noise nuisance. In contrast to the Hayes McKenzie report, it reports numerous instances of noise nuisance resulting from wind turbines.
l Location, location, location by John Stewart of the UKNA, can be viewed on www.ukna.org.uk

Scotland 1, England 0
Scotland has beaten England in its struggle to get the noise management ‘bible’ published.
l The Executive consulted on the guide last year, responses were generally positive and can be viewed on http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2006/05/11092626/0.

Horn costs vastly outweigh benefits
Costs and benefits of train horns have been analysed by Alaska scientists.

Reading: case closed
Reading Council has decided not to appeal against a court judgement that obliged it to pay for a resident’s double glazing to cut traffic noise. In March 2005 resident

NI complaints rise
New statistics reveal that noise complaints have risen in Northern Ireland by 13% in 2005/06 compared to the previous year.
l The report can be viewed at www.ehsni.gov.uk/environment/noise/noisestats.shtml

Money to tackle minimotos
Home secretary John Reid has announced that £200,000 funding will be made available to local authorities to tackle noisy minimotos.

Open air music events too noisy
Noise levels at open air pop events are well above action levels and few staff appear to wear protection, a Health and Safety Executive investigation in Scotland has revealed.
l Assessment of noise exposure to various persons working at T in the Park can be viewed on www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2006/hsl0662.pdf?ebul=hsegen/07-AUG-06&cr=05

Noisy playground expansion refused
A long running planning battle between residents and a local school about playground noise has finally been resolved.

Bradshaw urged to resist budget cuts
Three noise groups have come together to urge noise minister Ben Bradshaw to resist cuts to noise policy budgets.

Quieter tyres yield huge benefits
Quieter tyres would yield benefits ten times greater than the costs, a TRL report suggests.
l Tyre/road noise: assessment of the existing and proposed tyre noise limits, Greg Watts et al, Report number PPR077 is available from Janet Brown TRL Publications Unit 01344 770297

Bristol studies air link
Bristol City Council has embarked on a project to map environmental noise which may be affected by the introduction of a low emission zone (LEZ) in the city.
l www.silence-ip.org

HA noise target met
The Highways Agency 2005/06 annual report says the agency met its target for treating roads with quieter surfaces.
l The annual report can be viewed on www.highways.gov.uk/

Stokenchurch worst
Stokenchurch is the worst location studied in a noise review of the M40 motorway, a TRL report produced for the Highways Agency suggests.
l An assessment of noise hotspots alongside the M4 can be viewed on www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/M40_Hotspot_Report.pdf

‘Young’ acousticians sought
The Institute of Acoustics, is inviting nominations for its Tyndall Medal for 2008.
l Nomination detailshttp://www.ioa.org.uk/viewnews.asp?newsID=59, closing date 31 October 2006.

No more flights
The Government has confirmed it will not attempt to reintroduce relaxations on movements limits for night flights at London airports.

Hot debate
Tensions between councils and noise consultants will be explored in a debate being organised by the Institute of Acoustics Central Branch.
l www.ioa.org.uk

Website review
We've been visiting noise websites and have ranked about one hundred - here's a taster: )

Non local authority sites:
1st Don’t lose the music www.dontlosethemusic.com
2nd Noise Concern www.noiseconcern.org
3rd National Society for Clean Air www.nsca.org.uk
4th Noise Action Week www.noiseactionweek.org.uk
5th Health & Safety Executive www.hse.gov.uk/noise/index.htm
6th Hepworth Acoustics www.hepworth-acoustics.co.uk
7th Mel Kenyon’s Noisenet www.noisenet.org
8th IAC www.iacl.co.uk/uk/index.htm
9th Stop Stansted Expansion Campaign www.stopstanstedexpansion.com
10th Institute of Acoustics www.ioa.org.uk

Local authority sites (interactive links coming)
1st London Borough of Westminster
2nd Cambridge City Council
3rd London Borough of  Southwark
4th Lancaster City Council
5th Stratford on Avon District Council
6th Ashfield District Council
7th London Borough of Greenwich
8th Swansea City Council
9th Woking Borough Council
10th London Borough of Brent

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July 2006 headlines (issue 4)

Pub noise regs proposed
Defra is consulting on regulations that can be used to control adhoc noise from pubs and clubs. New regulations have been prompted by the Licensing Act that allows pubs and clubs to open later.
l The consultation is available at: www.defra.gov.uk/ corporate/consult/ noiseact-guidance.

Noiseconcern launch
Environmental charity Encams is launching its Noiseconcern campaign aimed at noisemakers.
l www.noiseconcern.org

Police abandon car exhaust enforcement?
A Hampshire resident has been told by police that there will be no police action taken on excessively loud vehicle exhausts.

Two councils criticised
Sedgemoor District Council failed to enforce planning conditions at a pub skittle alley, and has been told to pay £3,000 to the complainant for unnecessary noise nuisance. Meanwhile in a separate ruling, Breckland Council failed to consider noise nuisance from a skate park at the planning stage.

Edinburgh gets tough on noisy aircraft
Aircraft that break stated noise limits are to be fined under plans unveiled by Edinburgh Airport.

Footpath closure key to tackling train horns?
Faced with both a private and local authority nuisance prosecution, Network Rail has agreed to consider closing foot crossings at Ardleigh in Essex to reduce nuisance from sounding of train horns.

Juggling noise and climate change stresses
The need to combat climate change impacts can conflict with the need to ensure houses are quiet, last month’s IoA research conference held in Birmingham was told. Glazing standards appear to be inadequate to prevent noise disturbance.

Planning burden lifted for wind turbines
England has followed on from Scotland in its push to encourage domestic power generation. Householders will be given permitted development rights to make it easier to install wind turbines without the need for planning permission (Noise Bulletin June p3). It is claimed that such turbines do not cause a noise nuisance.

Village hall event cap retained
A cap of 12 events a year has been retained for events held at village halls under temporary events notices.
Air research fillip
Europe is spending more money on aeronautics research, including ambitious targets for cutting plane noise.
l http://ec.europa.eu/ research/future

Breckland wind fall
Breckland Council has been told by a government inspector to pay costs following loss of a planning appeal on wind turbines.

Bus quality move
Guidance has been issued by the DfT on how quality bus partnerships can work. Local authorities can use such partnerships to include conditions on bus contracts to clean up noise and emissions. l www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/ groups/dft_localtrans/documents/page/dft_localtrans_611921.hcsp

AVT wins approval
AV Technology has gained UKAS accreditation for pre-completion testing of new houses (for airborne and impact noise).l www.avtechnology.co.uk

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June 2006 headlines (issue 3)

Surprise as LAeq judged best
Experts reacted with surprise to news that the absolute LAeq metric has proved the best measure for judging one-off entertainment noise disturbance.

Neighbour noise advert campaign nears
Encams is to launch a new publicity campaign on neighbourhood noise next month. Faced with complaints from existing noise pressure groups, it has agreed to fund extra telephone support at the Noise Abatement Society.

Griffiths splits from Capita
Five consultants have split from Capita Symonds to set up Vanguardia Consulting.
website www.vanguardia consulting.co.uk

No funds for noise consultation
A planned consultation meeting on the noise strategy is being postponed due to lack of funds.

Footpath closures avoid horn nuisance?
Railway infrastructure owner Network Rail has been served a second nuisance notice because of train horn noise at Ardleigh in Essex.

News from the IOa research Conference held in Birmingham

BRE lists hotspot benefits
The Highways Agency ‘hotspots’ programme is having some success at reducing noise. However the programme is much reduced in scope compared to recent years.

Rail roughness to be added to CRN method
IoA delegates heard that rail roughness factors must be used to make the standard Calculation of Rail Noise (CRN) methodology more accurate.

Insulation probe call
Leading noise medic Stephen Stansfeld says research into sound insulation in schools is urgently needed.

Halving noise ‘on the cards’
Mike Swanyck of aircraft engine maker Rolls Royce has said that halving of aircraft noise is now ‘really on the cards’.

Domestic turbines pushed
Scotland is providing advice and funding to boost uptake of ‘micro’ energy generation – small scale electricity generation such as domestic wind turbines.
l PAN45 can be viewed on the planning section of www.scotland.gov.uk

Green scoring omits noise
Campaigners have criticised the government’s announcement to grade homes for energy efficiency, saying it is a missed opportunity to include sound insulation.

Partial victory for night flight disturbance
The long running consultation on night flights at London airports as drawn to a close with some concessions to both the airline industry and airport protesters.
l  More details on www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/ dft_aviation_611809.hcsp

Hinton in waiting
Institute of Acoustics president Colin English has announced that Birmingham City Council’s John Hinton is joining the IoA council as president elect.

Half a million move
Around half a million people have moved home in the last year because of noise, according to a new Ipsos MORI survey carried out for NSCA as part of Noise Action Week.

Noise omitted from green space paper
The Department for Communities and Local Government has commissioned research on mapping of green spaces. No mention is made of noise or tranquillity.
l website link www.dclg.gov. uk/index.asp?id=1500480

Guest opinion:
Nargis Kayani, Sanctum Consultants, argues against taking away powers to serve nuisance notices in the Magistrates courts.

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May 2006 headlines (issue 2)

Train horns prompt public and private nuisance actions
Pressure on Network Rail to cut train horn noise is growing with a nuisance action served on the railway infrastructure group.

Hot tubs cause ‘pure tone’ disturbance
The new fashion for hot tubs has caused problems for Bracknell Forest residents and its environmental health officers.

Mapping progresses
Defra says progress is continuing on its noise mapping England project. Work is also continuing on the European Noise Directive regulations which Defra expects to lay before Parliament this Summer.

ODPM becomes DCLG
In Prime Minister Tony Blair’s recent shake up of the Cabinet, David Miliband has been appointed environment secretary, replacing Margaret Beckett.

Ombudsman rap for Weymouth
The local authority Ombudsman has criticised Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for failing to adequately carry out its nuisance responsibilities.

Casella sold as new dosebadge launched
Noise monitoring firm Casella Cel has launched the new Cel350 dosebadge. Meanwhile parent firm Casella Measurement has been sold to US firm Ideal Industries.
l More details on the Cel350 on www.casellacel.com

Chinook payout
The Ministry of Defence has paid £7,000 in compensation to a homeowner in Hampshire who said noise and vibration from Chinook helicopters had damaged his house.

Tesco softens image
Tesco supermarket chief Sir Terry Leahy has pledged new stores will be better neighbours in future.

Noise reduction toolkit from TRL
TRL has published details of a traffic noise reduction ‘toolkit’. In the second of a pair of TRL reports, noise barriers are reviewed.
l TRL project report PPR046 Noise barrier review  PPR047 Traffic noise reduction toolkit  www.trl.co.uk/ press/archive.asp?pid=135

Eviction for noisy Tyneside tenants
North Tyneside Council has used tenancy agreements to evict noisy neighbours in one of its housing developments.

Joseph to leave NSCA
National Society for Clean Air secretary general Martin Joseph is to leave the NSCA after just months in the post.

Logging software out
Improved logging software for the long term monitoring of broadband and spectrum data is now available to support Bruel & Kjaer’s Type 2250 fourth generation hand-held analyser.
Website: www.bksv.com

Noise action week imminent
Noise Action Week, coordinated by the NSCA, is taking place from 22 – 26 May.
l Further details, see www.noiseactionweek.org.uk

PPG24 still holds
A planning appeal inspector has told developers that PPG24 noise exposure bands still hold sway despite the ongoing review of the noise planning guidelines.

Heathrow night flight cap accepted
A temporary cap on night flight numbers has been accepted by the Government to avoid a further setback for the Civil Aviation Bill.

Looney joins Temple
Dr John Henry Looney is joining Temple as operations director.

Highway plans
The Highways Agency says it will treat 110 lane km of roads with low noise surfaces in its forward business plan.

Harmonoise delivers
A new version of the Harmonoise Point-to-Point propagation model is available free of charge.
l www.imagine-project.org

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April 2006 headlines (Issue one)

25th April 2006: Edition one is printed! Launch customer John Coates of London Borough of Richmond (left) with Noise Bulletin editor Jack Pease

Defra rejoins nuisance and environmental noise strategies Environmental and neighbourhood noise policy are to be merged in the forthcoming national strategy. And Defra has also indicated a large shake up of industrial noise nuisance law. Legal action starts on horn noise The railway industry is being hit with legal action on train horn noise. First noise maps handed to Defra Consultants Entec and Hepworth Acoustics are the first of many consultants to complete noise mapping for Defra’s Noise Mapping England project. When the cock crows Daventry District Council has taken a cock owner to court for breach of a noise abatement notice. Sandpit ‘ideas factory’ thinktank sets out noisy future workplan A ‘sandpit’ meeting of invited noise specialists held earlier this year is proposing a £1.5m research bonanza. l The soundscape project has its own homepage which carries further details: www.acoustics.salford.ac. uk/soundscape Workplace noise rules now in – but not for pubs & clubs New standards have been introduced aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating workplace noise injuries.  This can be downloaded from www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ indg362.pdf New powers to tackle alarm noise Powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods Act have come into force. The Act covers issues such as littering, graffiti and noise. l Guidance: www.defra.gov.uk/ news/2005/050408a.htm Noise unrelated to property values claims Flindell A study of property values suggests that a noisy environment does not depress house prices. New chief executive for IoA as Bratby retires The Institute of Acoustics has appointed Kevin Macan-Lind as its new chief executive. He will succeed Roy Bratby who is retiring after nine years with the IOA. Dial 101 for noise A single, memorable number – 101 – is being trialed as an alternative to the 999 emergency number. l http://snen.homeoffice.gov.uk Focus falls on flights after Lords defeat Campaigners near busy airports are fighting several proposals that are set to increase the number of flights, reports Lisa Russell. All you need to know about insulation Lis Stedman uncovers a staggeringly useful 300 page guide on sound insulation that must surely become a bible for both professionals and DIY’ers To obtain a copy of the guide, visit www.arcamedia.co.uk where an electronic version can be downloaded or a paper version ordered. EMP homepage click here back to top