England: guidance published on noise and vibration for environmental permit applications

The Environment Agency published new guidance on 1 December 2025 on how noise and vibration risks must be assessed for environmental permit applications in England.

The guidance clarifies when a noise impact assessment (NIA) and a noise and vibration management plan (NMP) are required.

It also highlights the need to assess low frequency noise and risks to nearby sensitive receptors.

The guidance may be particularly significant for waste, energy, industrial, and infrastructure operators, data centres, and others whose activities generate noise, because it clarifies when detailed noise assessments and mitigations may be requested as part of the permitting process.

The guidance explains that noise and vibration risks must be considered when applying for a new permit, varying an existing permit, or to comply with specific permit conditions.

Where a potential risk is identified by the operator, they must submit both a noise impact assessment (NIA) and a noise and vibration management plan (NMP) to demonstrate how impacts will be controlled.

Low frequency noise must also be assessed where it could affect nearby noise sensitive receptors.

Where a risk of noise or vibration pollution is identified, the formal assessment and proposed mitigation measures must be submitted to the Environment Agency for review.

The Environment Agency may request these assessments at any stage of the application process.

This includes sites using noisy plant or machinery, carrying out outdoor activities such as loading, unloading, crushing, shredding, or moving bulk materials, operating at night, or located near homes or other sensitive receptors.

Sites with ongoing compliance investigations linked to noise or vibration may also be required to submit assessment and management information.

The guidance also makes reference to the Environment Agency’s Noise Advisory Tool (NAT), which operators can use to help understand whether an NIA and NMP may be requested.

Sources:

Environment Agency – Noise and vibration: environmental permit application guide – Published Dec 2025

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