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4 Policy Perspective
4.1 European Directive on Noise
Further to its 1996 Green Paper (COM(96)540), the European Commission developed a new framework for noise policy, based on shared responsibility between the EU, national and local level, and including measures to improve the accuracy and standardisation of data to help improve the coherency of different actions. This document led to a comprehensive set of measures, including:
1. The creation of a Noise Expert Network, whose mission is to assist the Commission in the development of its noise policy.
2. The Directive on Environmental Noise aimed at requiring competent authorities in Member States to produce strategic noise maps based on harmonised indicators, to inform the public about noise exposure and its effects, and to draw up Action Plans to address noise issues.
3. The follow-up and development of existing EU legislation relating to sources of noise, such as motor vehicles, aircraft, railway rolling stock and the provision of financial support to different noise related studies and research projects.
4.2 The Environmental Noise (Scotland )Regulations 2006
The Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, which transpose the EU Directive, specify the general requirements for Action Plans. They will need to:-
(a) meet the objectives of-
(i) preventing and reducing environmental noise where necessary and in particular where exposure levels can induce harmful effects on human health; and
(ii) preserving environmental noise quality where it is good;
(b) be designed to manage noise issues and effects, including noise reduction if necessary;
(c) aim to protect quiet areas in first round agglomerations and agglomerations, as appropriate, against an increase in noise;
(d) identify and address priorities for meeting the objectives set out in sub-paragraph (a);
(e) apply in particular to the most important areas as established by strategic noise maps: and
(f) meet the requirements in Schedule 4.
Schedule 4 states that an Action Plan shall
(a) meet the minimum requirements of Annex V to the Directive;
(b) contain a summary covering all the important aspects referred to in Annex V to the Directive, not exceeding 10 pages in length; and
(c) be clear and comprehensible.
4.3 Local Considerations
When considering results from the noise maps, the appropriate working group will produce a draft list of priority locations called " Candidate Noise Management Areas ( CNMA)".
Before determining a CNMA, the appropriate working group should consider all relevant information including;
(a) local circumstances;
(b) sensitivity of receptors;
(c) the nature, extent and duration of noise sources
These locations will then be further assessed to determine whether or not they should be presented to the core steering group as a Noise Management Area ( NMA). The appropriate working group will prepare a report on the CNMA detailing the reasons for their selection of the location.
The report is likely to include:
(a) a detailed map of the area;
(b) a description, including any measurements of noise source levels
(c) the reasons why the area was determined as a CNMA;
(d) a detailed list of proposed interventions;
To ensure that all factors have been consistently and fairly assessed, the core steering group will review the CNMA reports and provide feedback if required. The final decision rests with the core steering group following discussions with the appropriate working groups. Once an area has been classified as an NMA, the Scottish Executive will carry out a consultation with stakeholders and the public to inform them of the decision and the rational for the determination.
Further information on determination of CNMA's is provided in section 5.5
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