Noise and Planning

When planning a development, noise needs to be considered

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that new and existing developments need to be prevented from causing, or being put at an unacceptable risk of, noise pollution.

When reviewing planning applications we will therefore take noise impact into account. We advise developers and their consultants to help ensure their planning applications:

avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life
mitigate and minimise adverse impacts on health and quality of life
where possible, contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life

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When a noise assessment may be required

In some circumstances you may need to submit a noise assessment in support of your planning application. This would examine both the existing noise environment, and the likely impact of the new development. For example, if you were planning to build homes in an area with potentially high road traffic noise, or build a public house or nightclub that may generate increased noise late at night.

To help you decide whether it's appropriate for you to submit a noise assessment please see the Planning Noise Advice guide (below), which has been jointly developed by local authorities in Sussex:

Planning Noise Advice Document (PNAD) - Sussex (November 2023) (1,262KB)

For more information on NPPF please see:

National Planning Policy Framework - on the GOV.UK website

If you need further advice about noise and planning please contact the Planning Team.

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Air source heat pumps (ASHP) and ground source heat pumps (GDHP)

Heat pumps are part of the government's strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, the technology generates noise and it can operate during the night and day. As a result it has the potential to cause significant adverse effects to people living nearby.

The Institute of Acoustics (IoA) and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have produced guidance notes for those thinking about purchasing a heat pump and installers, designed to avoid significant adverse noise impacts associated with their use, see: