Leading NGOs call for Full Government Compliance with Air Quality Laws / 16 Jun 2008 / Press release
Letter to the Prime Minister, urging compliance with Air Quality Directive.
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First Steps Towards a Quieter Wales / 13 Jun 2008 / Press release
Noise Maps for Wales have been published today, along with draft noise action planning guidance.
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Land Quality Survey Highlights Need for More Training / 12 Jun 2008 / Press release
Less than 50% of land quality practitioners feel they have the necessary skills.
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Pledge to Act on Brownfield Skills / 11 Jun 2008 / Press release
We support the proposed Brownfield Skills Strategy and pledge to assist in its implementation.
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New EU Air Quality Directive Now in Force / 11 Jun 2008 / News
The new Directive formally entered into force on the 11th June.
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Share a Ride to Work and Help Clean Up Our Cities / 9 Jun 2008 / Press release
Support National Liftshare Day - 9th June 2008.
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HPA Contaminated Land Clarification Note Causes Confusion / 9 Jun 2008 / News
HPA's clarification note released earlier this year caused confusion amongst practitioners.
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Improving Health and the Local Environment / 4 Jun 2008 / Press release
To celebrate World Environment Day, we have launched our Green Leaf Campaign.
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New Strategy For Children's Health and Exposure to Pollution / 1 Jun 2008 / News
HPA have issued a consultation on Children's Environment and Health Strategy for the UK.
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Concerns Over Implementation of Environmental Liability Directive / 26 May 2008 / News
The Environmental Liability Directive is due to be transposed by December of this year - read our response to the recent consultation on the Environmental Damage Regulations.
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Noise Action Week Survey Highlights Annoying Street Sounds / 19 May 2008 / Press release
Cars and motorbikes are causing the most noise disturbance in Great Britain.
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First Steps Towards Quieter Cities / 16 May 2008 / Press release
Defra have today published the first strategic noise maps for England.
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Code of Practice on Waste welcomed / 15 May 2008 / News
In our response to the consultation on the draft voluntary Code of Practice (CoP) on waste, we have commended the proposals of the CoP for its promotion of greater sustainability by reducing waste through a suitable for use approach, and for reducing the uncertainty of current waste law.
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Improvements to Land Quality Guidance Expected 'Soon' / 12 May 2008 / Press release
Contaminated Land professionals will meet this week, at a crucial time in Land policy.
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National Noise Policy - Seeking a Sound Statement from Government / 7 May 2008 / Press release
Our letter to Jonathan Shaw MP calling for a timescale on the Noise Strategy.
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UK Health Effects of Climate Change Revised / 1 May 2008 / News
New report published by the Department of Health on the health effects of climate change.
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Promoting Quieter Healthier Neighbourhoods / 25 Apr 2008 / Press release
Find out what's happening across the UK for Noise Action Week.
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Aviation Continues to Fly in it's Own Bubble / 23 Apr 2008 / Press release
Aviation Duty should encourage travellers to use low emission surface transport.
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Running for a Cleaner, Quieter, Healthier World / 22 Apr 2008 / News
This weekend our Chief Executive will be running the Rotary Shakespeare Marathon to raise awareness of air pollution and noise issues.
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Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK Revised / 10 Apr 2008 / News
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Go-Ahead for Microgeneration / 7 Apr 2008 / News
From 6th April, most microgeneration technologies can be installed for dwellings without planning permission, providing "there is no clear impact on others".
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Noise Action Week 19-23 May 2008: Promoting Quieter, Healthier Neighbourhoods / 27 Mar 2008 / Press release
Find out about this year's campaign and what's happening across the country.
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Biomass Can Make a Valuable Contribution to Urban CO2 Emission Reductions / 26 Mar 2008 / Press release
Joint statement from Environmental Protection UK and the Renewable Energy Association.
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Budget 2008 – 2p Or Not 2p is Really Not the Question / 12 Mar 2008 / News
Today the Chancellor Alistair Darling announced that the planned 2 pence per litre rise in fuel duty would be delayed by 6 months to October 2008, leading to criticism of the Government's green credentials.
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Evidence Mounts on the Costs of Deadly Noise / 28 Feb 2008 / Press release
Concern at yet another report linking transport noise to serious health impacts.
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Pubs Risk Penalties for Night Time Noise / 28 Feb 2008 / Press release
New powers to tackle excessive noise at night from licensed premises.
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A Cleaner, Quieter, Healthier Heathrow? / 27 Feb 2008 / Press release
Plans for Heathrow Airport expansion as incompatible with our vision of a cleaner, quieter, healthier world.
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Scotland Plan Action for Quieter Cities / 18 Feb 2008 / Press release
With increasing evidence that traffic noise in cities is harming our health, Scottish noise experts will be on hand this Wednesday afternoon to hear about work towards quieter cities. As the first UK administration to publish noise maps, required under the European Environmental Noise Directive, Scotland are making good progress in preparing noise action plans. These are required by July 2008 for the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow; for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Prestwick Airports and for major road and rail routes.
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Health and Heathrow - Ministers Must Review Research on Aviation Noise and Health / 13 Feb 2008 / Press release
With the publication this week of yet another report highlighting the impact of aviation noise on health, Environmental Protection UK have today written to the Environment, Health and Transport Ministers urging Government to prioritise a review of research, including the ANASE report.
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A Warm Welcome for the London Low Emission Zone / 28 Jan 2008 / Press release
Environmental Protection UK will be celebrating on Monday 4th February as the London Low Emission Zone comes into operation.
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Preventing Light Blight / 22 Jan 2008 / Press release
Environmental Protection UK welcome the recent announcement that the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution are to carry out a short study, investigating the impacts of artificial light on the environment and implications for human health. Our increasingly 24 hour economy calls for more lighting for longer – for amenity, safety, decoration and entertainment. However, excessive or misdirected light can cause disturbance and annoyance and waste energy.
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Uncertain Future for Soil Framework Directive / 14 Jan 2008 / News
The future of the Soil Framework Directive remains uncertain, following the decision by five member states, including the UK, to block revised proposals at the EU Environment Council vote in December. Environmental Protection UK urge the UK Government to continue with their efforts to reach agreement on how to best implement the Directive.
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A Cleaner, Quieter Britain Will be a Healthier One / 10 Jan 2008 / Press release
On 7th January Gordon Brown announced plans for preventative healthcare for NHS patients in England, with people to be offered screening for early signs of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Environmental Protection UK applaud this move, but would like to remind the Prime Minister that a healthier environment can help prevent people from becoming sick in the first place.
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Heathrow Highlights Need for Robust Noise Impact Research / 9 Jan 2008 / Press release
As we move towards the first noise action plans, to be drawn up for July, Environmental Protection UK will be urging Government that any decisions on air transport infrastructure should take full account of EU noise policy objectives to reduce exposure to high levels of transport noise.
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Brownfield Skills and Training / 8 Jan 2008 / News
Environmental Protection UK recently responded to English Partnerships' scoping study consultation for producing a Brownfield Skills Strategy, and expressed our support for the proposal for a review of skills and training.
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Environmental Protection UK Launch New Website / 18 Dec 2007 / Press release
Environmental Protection UK (formerly NSCA) have launched a new website. Visitors to the new site can enter our online competition to win a folding bike.
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EU Directive Will Not Produce Healthier Air for the UK / 12 Dec 2007 / Press release
Environmental Protection UK believe that the new EU Air Quality Directive approved last night will do little to provide cleaner, healthier air for the United Kingdom.
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Concerns Over Contaminated Land Policy / 6 Nov 2007 / Press release
Environmental Protection UK and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have issued a joint letter to Jonathan Shaw MP, expressing concerns over the recent transfer of Defra's Contaminated Land Policy Branch. It has been moved away from the Local Environmental Protection Division to the Environmental Land Management Division. We are concerned at the timing of this move and potential impacts on important work the Branch is currently undertaking.
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Government Plans for Cleaner Environment / 1 Nov 2007 / News
Environmental Protection UK were pleased to hear that one of the Government's aspirations in this Parliamentary session, as set out in the Queens Speech, is for a 'cleaner environment' – but whether it will be a quieter and healthier one too is not so apparent.
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Climate Change Bill Launched / 31 Oct 2007 / News
The Climate Change Bill Command Paper 'Taking Forward the UK Climate Change Bill' was launched on 29th October. The Bill will be the world's first legally binding framework for reducing domestic carbon emissions. The Bill's broad aims were widely supported during the consultation phase, and include the setting of a mandatory CO2 reduction target, the establishment of an independent commission to advise government and greater powers to spread the use of carbon trading.
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Remember, Remember: Don't Spark off Pollution / 29 Oct 2007 / Press release
The coming days will see fire and firework celebrations igniting across the country. Environmental Protection UK are reminding organisers of bonfire and firework events – whether it be a family garden party or large community or commercial event – take care to minimise the impact of fires and fireworks.
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Tyred of Transport Noise? / 25 Oct 2007 / Press release
Traffic noise is increasing in our cities - disrupting sleep and harming the health of a third of Europeans. As the health and economic costs of noise become increasing clear, Environmental protection UK are calling for the introduction of quieter tyres and tyre labelling.
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NSCA Become Environmental Protection UK / 18 Oct 2007 / Press release
The UK's longest established environmental organisation relaunches at the House of Lords on October 18th. Set up in 1898 with the goal of abating city smoke, we have worked for over a century, most recently as NSCA, to reduce environmental pollution.
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Towards Quieter Cities - Noise Update 2007 / 9 Oct 2007 / Press release
This is a crucial time in the development of noise management. Noise management professionals from across the UK are gathering in Birmingham tomorrow for NSCA's annual Noise Update conference, to discuss the latest practical and policy measures for managing city noise – from people, entertainment and traffic:
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Concerns Over Proposed Soil Framework Directive / 25 Sep 2007 / Press release
NSCA's Land Quality Committee has expressed concerns over the proposals for the new EU Soil Framework Directive. Whilst we welcome the proposal for a Directive that is aimed at protecting and restoring soil, the proposals set out are too prescriptive – member states should be allowed to retain their existing national approaches to identifying contaminated sites, and a common set of EU standards should be developed which allow for local variations.
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More Noise and Health Research Needed / 13 Sep 2007 / Press release
Leading UK NGOs working for a quieter, healthier world have urged the health minister to support the continuation of World Health Organisation research on the impacts of noise. In a letter to Dawn Primarolo, Minister of State for Public Health, NSCA, the UK Noise Association and the Noise Abatement Society have expressed concern that WHO funding for noise research is due to run out in 2008.
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Highways Agency Miss Noise Mitigation Target / 1 Aug 2007 / Press release
NSCA is disappointed, that, with the first noise action plans due to be implemented for our major cities next summer, there is a continuing failure to meet targets for the lower noise resurfacing of roads. The latest Highways Agency Annual Report, states that a target to treat at least 110 lane kms of concrete road surface with lower noise surfacing 2006 - 07 has not been met. A programme for low noise surfacing was promised in the 10 year Transport Plan in 2000, but targets have repeatedly been missed.
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Two and a Half Cheers for the New Air Quality Strategy / 25 Jul 2007 / Press release
NSCA has given a largely warm welcome to the new Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, released last week after considerable delay.
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Domestic Wind Power set to Wind up Neighbours? / 11 Jul 2007 / Press release
emissions and help combat climate change. However, NSCA are concerned that the rush to reduce global emissions could create nuisance in neighbourhoods, as potential impacts of vibration, noise and flicker from micro wind turbines have not been adequately assessed.
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Clean Air But More Noise? / 30 Jun 2007 / Press release
As England gears up for the smoking ban, NSCA,is urging smokers to keep it down. While welcoming the move to clean indoor air, we want to ensure this is not at the expense of noisier streets.
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National Action to Calm Noisy Neighbourhoods / 21 May 2007 / Press release
Neighbour noise complaints are at their highest ever levels. As summer approaches, windows open, more people are outdoors, noise levels rise, and this year the smoking ban will mean even more socialising on the street.
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A Million Move to Escape Neighbour Noise / 19 May 2007 / Press release
According to a new Ipsos MORI survey, 2% of people say they have moved house to escape noisy neighbours. The report also found that noise from cars and motorbikes is now the most common cause of annoyance in our neighbourhoods.
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Certificate in Pollution Prevention and Control Launched / 25 Apr 2007 / Press release
The Certificate in Pollution Prevention and Control which is being launched today has been developed by a working group of the Industrial Pollution Liaison Committee, chaired by Defra. It will provide those involved in Industrial Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) with a working knowledge of current legislative requirements and inspection techniques.
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Tackling Noisy Neighbours / 23 Apr 2007 / Press release
With neighbour noise complaints at their highest level ever across the UK, next month local authorities, housing providers, and mediation services are encouraging everyone to consider the noise they make, and promoting practical solutions and services available to tackle noisemakers.
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NSCA Backs London Taxi Emissions Strategy / 10 Apr 2007 / Press release
As a strong supporter of action to improve urban air quality NSCA would like to back up the Mayor of London's rebuttal to recent attacks on his Taxi Emission strategy.
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Rogers Review Rates Air But Neglects Noise / 4 Apr 2007 / Press release
NSCA welcomes the prioritisation of reducing air pollution in the recently published Rogers Review, which aims to set national priorities for regulatory enforcement at a local level that will protect the health of citizens and business prosperity. Priority status will spur greater action from Local Authorities to improve air quality for their residents.
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Sussex Vegetation at Risk from Ozone / 7 Mar 2007 / Press release
Crops and vegetation throughout Sussex experience unhealthy and potentially damaging concentrations of ozone pollution, the Anglo/French 'Air Rives Manche – Ozone (ARMO)' project has found. This, and other results, will be presented at a conference in Brighton on Friday, 16th March 2007.
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Noise Neglected in 'The Urban Environment' / 7 Mar 2007 / Press release
According to a major new report on the urban environment, noise "is a problem for one in three households in the UK and has a major impact on the well being of one in a hundred people'. Despite this, it remains 'outside the thrust' of The Urban Environment, published by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution yesterday
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Quiet Areas, Quiet Pubs, Less Traffic Noise? / 5 Mar 2007 / Press release
2007 promises to be crucial for determining how noise, for too long the 'Cinderella pollutant' is managed for years to come. Noise affects all of us, and next month Noise Officers and experts from across the UK come together at NSCA's annual workshop to discuss how the noise we all hear is managed now and in the future.
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Promoting Peaceful Neighbourhoods / 2 Mar 2007 / Press release
Noise can be a problem for all of us – at home, work, study, and during leisure time – and, even with more laws to manage noise, noise complaints across the UK are at their highest ever levels. Every year NSCA coordinate Noise Action Week, which gives local authorities, housing providers, mediation services and all involved in managing noise the opportunity to raise awareness of the impacts of excessive noise, promote practical solutions and services available to tackle noisemakers.
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The Way Forward for Soil Guideline Values / 26 Feb 2007 / Press release
NSCA's Land Quality Committee have highlighted the need for a fast action to implement Defra's proposed improvements to SGVs and the need for additional resources.
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Targets to Tackle City Noise / 2 Feb 2007 / Press release
With new research highlighting the increasing cacophony we are exposed to every day on urban streets, NSCA, the environmental protection charity representing noise management professionals, are working to support the development of action plans , which aim to manage exposure to noise from traffic in towns.
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Continued Action on Air Quality Needed / 24 Jan 2007 / Press release
Recently released figures from the Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs indicate that levels of air pollution increased during 2006, reversing a general pattern of decline.
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Climate Change, Is Technology the Answer? / 22 Jan 2007 / Press release
'Can science and technology provide the solutions to climate change?', is the question delegates will be pondering at a conference in Bristol this Thursday (25th January)organised by the South West division of the NSCA in partnership with the University of the West of England's Air Quality Management Resource Centre.
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Preventing Night Blight / 19 Jan 2007 / Press release
Our increasingly 24 hour economy calls for more lighting for longer - for amenity, safety, decoration and entertainment. However, excessive or misdirected light impacts on local environmental quality and the wider environment. Since the inclusion of light in nuisance legislation, NSCA has experienced increasing enquiries from local authorities and the public concerned about lighting, and this conference brings together the professionals with the expertise to address these concerns.
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New Approaches to Managing Neighbour Noise / 18 Dec 2006 / Press release
Publication of the Governments' new Code for Sustainable Homes, setting out a number of standards and measures aimed at encouraging housing developers to reduce the environmental impact and improve the quality of new homes, is welcomed by NSCA.
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Pre Budget Report Mixed Bag for Air Quality / 7 Dec 2006 / Press release
The National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection (NSCA) believe Wednesday's Pre-Budget Report is likely to prove a mixed bag for air quality, with encouragement for cleaner technologies outweighed by weak action to curb demand for road and air transportation.
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London Guidance for Air Pollution from Construction / 20 Nov 2006 / Press release
The NSCA welcomes the leadership of the London Mayor and London Councils in producing Best Practice Guidance Notes to Control Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition sites. We are also pleased that the PRECIS forum, which NSCA supports, has been able to assist with input to the Notes.
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NSCA Urge Stronger Action on Climate Change / 2 Nov 2006 / Press release
NSCA welcomes the conclusions of the Stern Review, which has called for urgent international action to tackle climate change. The Review was the largest ever carried out on the economics of climate change and the report states that stronger international policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are needed as soon as possible, in order to avoid high economic costs, as well as irreversible damage to the environment.
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Air Quality and Development Control Guidance / 1 Nov 2006 / Press release
At our annual Air Quality Update Seminar at the NEC, Birmingham on November 7th, NSCA launch a new edition of our essential guidance - Development Control: Planning for Air Quality. This latest manual, compiled by NSCA with principal support from Air Quality Consultants Ltd, takes account of recently published advice and includes examples of experience in Air Quality Management in practice from local authorities and consultants, in terms of working practices, planning decisions and public inquiries. It is the essential manual for all those working to improve air quality.
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Don't let Emissions Rocket / 1 Nov 2006 / Press release
This bonfire weekend will see fire and firework celebrations across the country. NSCA is calling on organisers of all bonfire events - whether it be a family garden party or large community or commercial event, to take care to minimise the pollution impacts of fires and fireworks.
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NSCA Help Reduce Noise at Home / 4 Oct 2006 / Press release
Noise at home can affect the quality of life of all of us. According to research, about half of people in England hear noise from their neighbours. For about one in five, noise can be a problem, and around half of those who hear noise are annoyed by it. However, many do not realise that there are simple, practical solutions to most domestic noise problems.
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Environmental Noise Regs - Missed Opportunity? / 3 Oct 2006 / Press release
While NSCA welcomes the long awaited introduction of regulations to enforce EU requirements for managing environmental noise, which came into force on October 1st, we reiterate some major concerns expressed in our response to the consultation
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