Noise

Mr. Evennett
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to implement section 84 and Schedule 1 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 relating to noise.

Mr. Bradshaw
Section 84 and Schedule 1 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 came into force in relation to England on 1 October 2006. We have revised the directions for permitted noise levels and an approval for devices measuring noise levels.

However, these cannot be brought into force until a stand-still period required under the Technical Standards and Regulations Directive 98/34/EC has expired.

A statement will be published on the DEFRA website when we are able to confirm the exact date.

Mr. Evennett
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department’s policy is on neighbourhood noise.

Mr. Bradshaw
The Government take the issue of neighbourhood noise seriously, and has given new powers to local authorities to deal with noise-related problems under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.