16.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment. It should prevent both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk of pollution by soil, air, water or noise or land instability, and remediate and mitigate despoiled, degraded, derelict contaminated and unstable land where appropriate. Consideration must be given to the impacts of noise on health and quality of life from new developments, and the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and the cumulative impacts on air quality from individual sites in local areas.

16.2 Environmental pollution and impacts on human health are important issues, and the Council is keen to ensure that Thanet's environmental quality is maintained and enhanced. The following policies aim to address a number of environmental issues to help achieve this.