We very much welcome the guidance and recognition given to noise in the Project Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework.
Creating a Clean Environment for a Healthy Society through Noise Management:
Incorporating consistent measures to avoid, mitigate and minimise or
promote the pro-active management of noise.
National Policy Objective 64
Improve air quality and help prevent people being exposed to unacceptable levels of pollution in our urban and rural areas through integrated land use and spatial planning
that supports public transport, walking and cycling as more favourable modes of transport to the private car, the promotion of energy efficient buildings and homes, heating systems with zero local emissions, green infrastructure planning and innovative design solutions.
Noise Quality
Noise is unwanted sound but is an inevitable consequence of everyday life, arising from environmental noise (created by human activity outdoors such as transport, construction and industry), with different tolerance levels varying from person to person. It becomes a problem when it occurs in the incorrect place or at the incorrect time or on a frequent or recurring basis. As we seek to promote more compact and efficient forms of development within our settlements, it is important to more proactively manage noise. In addressing these issues the NPF will support:
- Noise Management and Action Planning
Measures to avoid, mitigate, and minimise or promote the
pro-active management of noise, where it is likely to have
significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life,
through strategic noise mapping, noise action plans and
suitable planning conditions. - Noise, Amenity and Privacy
This includes but is not limited to, good acoustic design in
new developments, in particular residential development,
through a variety of measures such as setbacks and separation
between noise sources and receptors, good acoustic design
of buildings, building orientation, layout, building materials
and noise barriers and buffer zones between various uses and
thoroughfares. - Quiet Areas
The further enjoyment of natural resources, such as our green
spaces and sea frontage, through the preservation of low
sound levels or a reduction in undesirably high sound levels, is
particularly important for providing respite from high levels
of urban noise. As part of noise action plans, an extra value
placed on these areas, in terms of environmental quality and
the consequential positive impact on quality of life and health,
due to low sound levels and the absence of noise, can assist in
achieving this.
National Policy Objective 65
Promote the pro-active management of noise where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life and support the aims of the Environmental
Noise Regulations through national planning guidance and Noise Action Plans.
