Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

72 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise National Planning Framework in Ireland The roll-out of policy objective 65 in the Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework (DHLGH, 2019a) was seen as a first step in developing environmental noise policy in Ireland. Policy objective 65 requires the following: 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. While progress on this policy objective has been delayed, there remains a clear need to develop national noise planning guidance for local authorities. Such guidance would ensure better consistency in avoiding, preventing or reducing, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise, including annoyance, as specified in the environmental noise regulations. In some instances, local authorities are developing their own guidance. The first revision of the NFP is currently underway. It would be important that it clarifies roles and responsibilities and includes concrete measures around the practical implementation of the proposed new policy objective 91 on environmental noise (DHLGH, 2024). Wind energy In the State of the Environment Report 2020 (EPA, 2020) it was reported that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage undertook a public consultation on the draft revised wind energy guidelines (DHLGH, 2019b). It was envisaged that the guidelines would be published by the end of 2020. This has not been the case and these revised guidelines are still pending and the work is ongoing. With Ireland seeking to develop and improve the conditions necessary for the delivery of wind energy targets it is important that this type of technical guidance, which also covers noise, is available for the sector, local communities and relevant enforcement authorities. World Health Organization noise guidelines for the protection of human health WHO published noise guidelines for policymakers on the noise levels above which it considers that adverse effects on health and sleep occur (WHO, 2018), as shown in Table 3.4. The guidelines supplement earlier WHO guidance (WHO, 1999, 2009). Table 3.4  Summary of WHO noise guideline values Level of effect Source of noise Level WHO guidelines No effects on sleep are observed Any Below 30 dB L night , inside Below 42 dB L Amax , inside WHO, 2009 Lowest observed adverse effect level for night noise Any 40 dB L night , outside WHO, 2009 Noise above these levels is associated with adverse health effects and adverse effects on sleep Aircraft 45 dB L den , outside 40 dB L night , outside WHO, 2018 Railways 54 dB L den , outside 44 dB L night , outside WHO, 2018 Roads 53 dB L den , outside 45 dB L night , outside WHO, 2018 Wind Turbines 45 dB L den , outside WHO, 2018 Sources: WHO, 2009, 2018 L Amax , maximum sound level.