The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) superceeds PPG 24 which gave guidance on noise issues related to planning policy. The NPPF was published in March 2012 and sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how they are to be applied.  The NPPF lists 44 documents that are replaced by the framework.  As the guidance within the NPPF is contained within 49 pages, the document does not go in to the detail of the previous government guidance.

Paragraph 123 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states the following:

123. Planning polices and decisions should aim to:

• avoid noise from giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life as a result of new development;
• mitigate and reduce to a minimum other adverse impacts on health and quality of life arising from noise from new development, including through the use of conditions;
• recognise that development will often create some noise and existing businesses wanting to develop in continuance of their business should not have unreasonable restrictions put on them because of changes in nearby land uses since they were established; and
• identify and protect areas of tranquillity which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason.

 Paragraph 144 of the document states the following in relation to minerals sites:

When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should:

• ensure that any unavoidable noise, dust and particle emissions and any blasting vibrations are controlled, mitigated or removed at source, and establish appropriate noise limits for extraction in proximity to noise sensitive properties;

Reference is made to the Technical Guidance to the National Planning Policy Framework for further information on how the policies should be implemented in terms of noise.