1. Water Quality - Development will not be permitted where it would have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of groundwater resources, watercourses, or waterbodies, including canals and rivers, particularly where these support habitats and designated sites. Development will be required to demonstrate compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD), ensuring no deterioration in water body status and supporting the achievement of “good” ecological and chemical status, including during the construction phase. An integrated catchment-based approach to water quality management should be taken in line with the ‘integrated water management plan’.
  2. Odour-Development that results in unacceptable levels of odour will not be permitted.
  3. Noise and vibration - Developments generating noise which is likely to create significant adverse impacts on health, quality of life or biodiversity and cannot be mitigated and controlled through the use of conditions or through pre-existing effective legislative regimes, will not be permitted. Development that will result in an unacceptable impact on the occupiers of dwellings or other environmentally sensitive properties in terms of vibration will not be permitted. The development of noise-sensitive uses should incorporate design features to reduce the effects of noise within the building to an acceptable level within areas with significant background noise, including the Town Centre Living Area, District and Local Centres, adjoining the Strategic Road Network or strategic roads, and near to industrial uses.

Explanation

  1. Planning policies and decisions should ensure that new development is appropriate for its location taking into account the likely effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site or the wider area to impacts that could arise from the development.
  2. Ensuring a clean, pleasant and well-maintained environment is a top priority of the council. Excessive levels of air, land, noise, energy, vibration, light and water pollution have the potential to have an adverse impact on environmental quality, ecology, health and wellbeing. Building works can be hugely disruptive and cause nuisance in terms of vibration, air quality and noise. In addition, traffic management, storage and litter can also be problematic.
  3. The majority of Stockport's planned housing growth will take place in areas that already suffer from air and noise pollution, particularly along major transport routes and within Stockport town centre. It is therefore essential to ensure that, wherever possible all forms of pollution are considered, controlled and mitigated against as part of the development process.