The Environmental Noise (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Environmental Noise (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2629).

Regulation 3(2) inserts a definition of “consolidated noise map” into the list of words and terms used in the Environmental Noise (Wales) Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Regulations”). Regulation 3(3) amends the definition of “Directive” in regulation 2 of the 2006 Regulations so that references to the Directive in the 2006 Regulations are to be construed as references to the Directive as amended from time to time in accordance with the power contained in paragraph 1A of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972. Regulation 3(4) makes a minor correction to the definition of “major airport” in regulation 2.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 3 of the 2006 Regulations so that the noise sources listed in regulation 3 of those Regulations are identified from 2011 by publishing maps.

Regulation 5 amends regulation 13 of the 2006 Regulations so that quiet areas in the first round agglomerations and agglomerations are required to be identified in the action plans for those agglomerations.

Regulation 6(1) amends regulation 15(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations so that the action plans drawn up under Part 4 of the Regulations must identify and address priorities having regard to guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 30(1). Regulation 6(2) amends regulation 15(4) of the 2006 Regulations by providing the Welsh Ministers with the power to make consolidated noise maps.

Regulation 7 amends regulation 30 of the 2006 Regulations by providing the Welsh Ministers with a revised power to issue guidance to competent authorities, and by imposing a duty on competent authorities to have regard to that guidance.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector is available from the Radioactivity and Pollution Prevention Branch, Sustainable Energy Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website.