Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 18)
Noise pollution
19.10 This policy ensures that issues related to noise pollution are considered and addressed as part of new development proposals.
(3) Policy DLP87 Noise Pollution
- Where development has the potential to generate noise, the Council will require any such proposal to include measures that would minimise noise emissions and intrusions to an agreed, acceptable level.
- Where development would be subject to high noise levels the Council will require the proposal to include measures to reduce noise intrusion to an agreed, appropriate level.
- The Council will not permit development for either noise-generating proposals or noise-sensitive proposals where:
- a juxtaposition of uses arise.
- noise levels are assessed as being significant to the extent that amenity will be demonstrably prejudiced despite the provision of mitigation measures and, where those mitigation measures are considered to be inappropriate for the development proposal.
Justification
19.11 Noise pollution has the potential to be a nuisance and in extreme circumstances can cause considerable stress for people living and working in close proximity. The planning system has an important role to play in protecting local residents from development that results in noise pollution.
Light pollution
19.12 This policy ensures that issues related to light pollution are considered and addressed as part of new development proposals.
(2) Policy DLP88 Light Pollution
- Applications for development that comprise or require external lighting must demonstrate that:
- the use and design of the lighting scheme is necessary, particularly on the grounds of public safety, and appropriate to the location and the use proposed and/or design of the scheme/building. Clustering of lighting installations will only be permitted in the interests of safety or to highlight an individual landmark building or thoroughfare or town centre area.
- there is no harm to residential amenity.
- light spillage is minimised and, where appropriate, measures are provided to:
- screen lighting installations from view from neighbouring areas, especially within, to or from heritage assets and areas of Green Belt.
- restrict the times of illumination.
- there shall be no harm to protected wildlife species or habitats of acknowledged nature conservation importance including watercourses.
- illumination shall not provide an undue distraction to users of the public highway. Approval of development which includes significant external lighting will contain appropriate conditions where necessary to mitigate against any negative impacts. Where such impacts cannot be mitigated and there is the potential for significant harm to the local environment, the Council will refuse permission for that scheme.
Justification
19.13 The quality of the night-time environment is often dependent upon light. Artificial light is essential for reasons of safety and security as well as for a vibrant night-time economy in towns or add to the amenity of a place by highlighting special buildings and open spaces of character. However, insensitive lighting can cause light pollution and can also have an adverse impact upon biodiversity by affecting normal diurnal patterns of plants and animals.
External lighting is needed for commercial use, such as security lights, and for some community and sports facilities such as floodlit sports grounds and facilities in parks and open spaces, particularly during the winter for added safety to encourage increased use. Whilst the lighting has to be adequate for the purpose, it is important that there is no significant nuisance to the amenity of surrounding properties. This may require the use of planning conditions to limit times when lighting is used to minimise the intrusion.
Control of Advertisements
19.14 This policy sets out matters to be considered for applications for new advertisements in the borough.
(1) Policy DLP89 Control of Advertisements
- The Council will resist the display of any advertisement which is detrimental to:
- the appearance of the building and/or land upon which it is displayed.
- the visual amenity and character of the surrounding area including key views and vistas.
- public safety including highway safety.
- The Council will require that the scale and design of any proposed advertisement should:
- be in keeping with the scale and character of the area and any adjacent or nearby buildings.
- be appropriate to the surroundings and any recognised heritage assets or buildings and locations identified as being heritage assets.
- avoid obscuring any elevational design details and architectural features of a building.
- be appropriately and sensitively illuminated.
- avoid the cumulative impact of advertisements which may result in over proliferation and cluttering of the street-scene.
Justification
19.15 The Council recognises that outdoor advertising is essential to promote commercial activity and communicate information. Well designed and well-located advertisements add colour and vitality in urban areas whereas poorly designed and/or located advertising can be detrimental to visual amenity, and in some cases a public or highway safety hazard. The policy reflects the national policy approach to determining advertisement applications and guidance provided in the adopted Shopfront and Advertisement SPD (or any subsequent guidance).
