Coventry (t/a RDC Promotions) & Anor v Lawrence & Ors (Rev 1). Country/Territory United Kingdom Type of court National - higher court Date Feb 27, 2012 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name Court of Appeal Seat of court London Judge Mummery, Jackson and Lewinson. Reference number [2012] EWCA Civ 26 Language English Subject Air & atmosphere Keyword Land-use planning Noise pollution Protection of habitats Noise standards Vehicle noise Noise emission Aircraft noise Abstract In an action for nuisance by noise from motor-racing, the Court of Appeal held that pre-existing motor-racing activities, carried on for more than a decade, under first a Certificate of Lawful Use and then a planning permission subject to detailed conditions, had become part of the ‘character of the neighbourhood, against which the alleged nuisance must be judged. The planning authority had made a decision in the public interest and the consequences had to be accepted. Jackson LJ summarised the law in four propositions: A planning authority by the grant of planning permission cannot authorise the commission of a nuisance. Nevertheless the grant of planning permission followed by the implementation of such permission may change the character of a locality. It is a question of fact in every case whether the grant of planning permission followed by steps to implement such permission have the effect of changing the character of the locality. If the character of a locality is changed as a consequence of planning permission having been granted and implemented, then the question whether particular activities in that locality constitute a nuisance must be decided against the background of its changed character; one consequence may be that otherwise offensive activities in that locality cease to constitute a nuisance. Full text COU-159696.pdf