Noise Assessment That Gets Planning Approval

Why do I need a Noise Assessment?

Given the prominence of noise complaints in the UK, a noise assessment is often required by local planning authorities to support planning applications, remove objections, discharge planning conditions or for fulfilling obligations under environmental permits.

Noise Assessments or Noise Impact Assessments are generally undertaken to identify potential noise issues and determine the risk such noise would pose to human health or if the noise source could result in noise nuisance.

Where the Noise Assessment has shown that noise issues could arise, the assessment will look at whether noise mitigation measures are feasible and depending on the stage of the project, certain noise reduction recommendations could be made (the earlier in a project the better).

The requirements for Noise Assessment is further defined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which states that ‘Planning policies 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.
• 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.

A Noise Assessment should be considered where:

• You are proposing to introduce or modify a noise source which could affect the surroundings such as a nearby residential development.
• You are proposing a development that is adjacent to existing noise sources such as road traffic or rail noise.

How can our noise consultants help you?

To meet your acoustic requirements and ensure you remain compliant, Lustre Consulting’s experienced noise consultants offer comprehensive Acoustic Consultancy services to our clients, complementing our other services.

We can provide an accurate acoustic assessment of your projects in accordance with all relevant guidance and standards including but not limited to:

• BS4142 – Rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial sources
• BS8233 – Sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings
• Approved Document E (Part E) of the Building Regulations – Resistance to the passage of sound
• BS5228 – Construction noise and vibration assessments (including Section 61 applications for Prior Consent)
• CRTN traffic noise assessment in accordance with the Department of Transport “Calculation of Road Traffic Noise” and/or DMRB LA 111 – Noise and vibration
• BREEAM Hea 05 – Acoustic performance
• BREEAM Pol 05 – Reduction of noise pollution

Whether you need acoustic consultancy services for your Planning Application, noise survey, acoustic design reviews or construction noise and vibration, our acoustic assessments provide valuable insight and actionable recommendations.

Frequently asked questions when commissioning a Noise Assessment

Do I need a Noise Assessment for a Planning Application?

If you have a noise-sensitive site such as a residential development that is located within or close to a noisy area, or if your project will introduce new noisy plant or equipment in a noise-sensitive area, there is a high likelihood that the Local Planning Authority will require a noise survey and noise impact assessment report to accompany the Planning Application.

A Local Planning Authority may grant planning permission without a noise assessment but will then impose Conditions to control noise.

Do you have any noise or acoustic-related planning conditions attached to your Planning Permission? If so, the Conditions may have details that require an acoustic assessment which may entail assessments for façade acoustic specifications, internal sound insulation, plant noise assessments, or more.

How is the noise survey done?

Our noise consultants use specialist Class I sound level meters to record noise levels at the site over a set period. This may entail an environmental noise survey for determining outdoor noise levels or an internal noise survey to demonstrate compliance with acoustic design criteria. Depending on the type of noise survey, the noise monitoring equipment may be left in one or more secure locations for an extended period.

Where a sound insulation site investigation is required, e.g. when an existing commercial building is being converted for residential use, the sound insulation properties of walls and floors are measured to determine sound insulation improvement needed for acoustic design compliance.

What happens if I have a noise problem?

Once the problematic noise source(s) have been identified as part of the noise survey and/or sound insulation site inspection, we will assess the noise impact. Where noise impacts are predicted, calculations and noise modelling will be undertaken to determine suitable and cost-effective noise mitigation measures. Our reports include these recommendations on measure(s) to mitigate and reduce noise to an acceptable level.

What areas do you cover?

Our acoustic consultants are based in Chatham, Medway, Kent and are therefore well positioned to cover the Kent, Essex, Sussex and Greater London areas. But at Lustre Consulting we have a nationwide network of acoustics, noise and vibration specialist contacts so can cover projects anywhere in the UK.

How long will it take to prepare a Noise Assessment?

For delivery of our Noise Assessment report we will usually require two to three weeks from receipt of formal instruction (if traffic information is readily available). However, we will always strive to meet your deadline if it falls within this timeframe. It is worth noting that our reporting is dependent on access to the site and good weather conditions for our noise monitoring.

How much does a noise assessment cost?

The cost of a noise assessment can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the site, whether a noise survey is required, the number of noise sources involved and the acoustic design requirements that need to be met. Feel free to contact us for a free and non-obligatory chat to see how we can help.
Alternatively, you can send an email to info@lustreconsulting.com and provide us with the site location and description of the proposed development.