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4. Environmental Problems
4.1 Introduction
Existing environmental problems were identified to ensure that relevant issues were taken into account in the assessment. The environmental problems informed the development of SEA objectives and the baseline. Environmental problems i.e. noise were also fundamental to the formation of the NAP.
Having awareness of existing problems is important as there is the potential for interactions with other regimes to occur with the NAPs. Measures developed through these plans could improve or exacerbate existing problems. Relevant existing environmental problems are listed in the table below and the relationships with the NAPs are summarised.
Table 4.1 Existing Environmental Problems Relevant to the NAPs
SEA Category | Environmental Problem | Relationship with NAP |
|---|
Population and Human Health | Exposure to environmental noise can affect human health and quality of life. A range of non-auditory health effects that may be associated with exposure to environmental noise include: - Annoyance;
- Sleep disturbance;
- Mental health;
- Cardiovascular effects, hypertension, heart disease etc; and
- Cognitive performance of children.
| The NAPs promote Candidate Noise Management Areas and Candidate Quiet Areas which have the potential to influence noise levels. |
Biodiversity, Flora & Fauna | Exposure to environmental noise can affect sensitive habitats and species. | The NAP promotes Candidate Noise Management Areas and Candidate Quiet Areas, which have the potential to influence noise levels. Reduced noise levels could have positive effects on species and habitats. |
Air Quality and Climatic Factors | Air quality can be adversely affected by transport and is also a major source of noise. In areas where there have been consistent exceedances of specified pollutants, in conflict with national air quality objectives, Air Quality Management Areas ( AQMAs) have been designated. | Transport generates both noise and air pollutants. The designation of Noise Management Areas could influence transport management, which could therefore potentially result in impacts on local air quality and CO 2 emissions. |
Landscape | Environmental noise can adversely affect landscape character, particularly in sensitive locations. | The NAP promotes Candidate Noise Management Areas and Candidate Quiet Areas which have the potential to influence noise levels, particularly through the designation of Quiet Areas. These could enhance landscape character. |
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