EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 4: Environmental Noise Topic Box 4.4 UK Guidance on Planning and Noise The Institute of Acoustics is the UK’s professional body for those working in acoustics, noise and vibration. It has some 3000 members worldwide, with approximately 150 members in the Irish branch. In 2017, the Institute co-published guidance to provide practitioners with a recommended approach to the management of noise within the planning system in England. The Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise: New Residential Development (ProPG) (IOA, 2017) is now widely used, including in Ireland (e.g. in Limerick; Topic Box 4.5). Importantly, it encourages the implementation of good acoustic design from the earliest stages of planning for new residential developments, which should help reduce noise pollution levels for residents. The recommended approach provides opportunities to incorporate innovative and effective design interventions to enable residential development to proceed in acoustically challenging areas. In locations where it would not be appropriate to build new dwellings because of significant noise pollution, even with acoustic design considerations, the guidance encourages early identification of the risk of refusal and supports early decision-making, thereby avoiding unnecessary development and design costs. Integrating Air Pollution and Noise Mitigation Measures Integrating air pollution and noise mitigation measures can bring many benefits. Many of the sources of environmental noise are also sources of air pollution, such as traffic. There is growing recognition internationally that integrating air pollution and noise mitigation measures can bring many benefits. For example, the Scottish Government Policy Guidance on local air quality management helps ensure that an integrated approach to managing air quality and noise is taken across government (Scotland Government, 2018). The guidance identifies that special consideration should be given to noise management areas identified in noise action plans. Other potential measures include restrictions on heavy goods vehicles, reducing speeds on motorways and dual carriageways, the promotion of environmentally friendly vehicles. It also includes strategies to increase the separation between noise sources and sensitive receptors, including urban planning measures, measures to encourage an increase in greenery and the promotion of energy-efficient buildings. This approach calls for effective coordination among the different health, planning, transport and environmental protection stakeholders so that they can work together to address noise and air pollution. Topic Box 4.5 Promoting Walking and Cycling and Transport Noise Reduction as Part of the Renewal of Limerick City Centre The overarching aim of the O’Connell Street Revitalisation Project is for the street to be primarily pedestrian, while being flexible in use. The project includes: n wider footpaths and additional pedestrian areas to facilitate people gathering, on-street trading, and ‘spill out zones’ from shops and cafes on the street n the provision of street furniture on O’Connell Street including seating areas, trees, bicycle stands and lighting n introduction of a bus lane, with cyclists allowed to use the bus lane, and reduction in the number of private traffic lanes to one, as well as general reductions in the width of traffic lanes (Limerick City & County Council, 2019). Limerick was awarded (co-winner) the European Green Leaf Award by the European Commission in 2020. The local authority is engaging with communities in Limerick to identify tranquil and calm areas using the Hush City framework. The framework uses public participation to describe the acoustic environment (the soundscape), with policymakers using the results to assess and plan quiet areas in their cities (Hush City Mobile Lab, 2017). One of the ways to collect data is through organised ‘soundwalks’, excursions whose main purpose is listening to the environment. Limerick City & County Council is also using international guidance in assessing planning applications for new residential developments. It has incorporated the ProPG approach outlined earlier (IOA, 2017) in its Noise Action Plan 2018-2023. 91