Noise Assessments
Noise assessments are often required to support a planning application where there are concerns about noise in terms of noise impact on a proposed development or noise impact from a proposed development.
These noise assessments usually entail noise measurement, computer prediction or modelling, assessment of the impacts of noise and development of mitigation where necessary, so should be carried out by qualified noise or acoustic consultants. We have a team of five acoustic consultants who all hold relevant qualifications and membership of the Institute of Acoustics.
At Miller Goodall, we have vast experience of completing noise assessments and we consult closely with local authorities to ensure that our noise assessment meets their criteria so we can help to take your project forward quickly and efficiently. Our noise assessments are produced in a report format suitable for planning submission; this may be in the form of a standalone document or form part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
FAQs
A typical example of noise impacting on a proposed development would be a scheme for new housing next to a busy road. In this case, the local planning officer will probably request a noise assessment to determine if noise from the road is likely to have a negative impact on the residents in the new housing.
An example of noise impacts coming from a proposed development would be a new delivery yard next to an existing area of housing. In this case, a noise assessment is likely to be required in order to demonstrate that noise from the new HGV deliveries will not cause a significant negative impact at the existing nearby housing, and noise mitigation may be identified.
As well as busy roads and delivery vehicles, environmental noise sources can take many other forms, including railways and tramlines, overhead flight paths, entertainment venues such as pubs and night clubs, and plant and machinery noise from commerce, industry and construction.
Our acoustic consultants have experience of working on a large variety of noise assessments from multi-million pound developments to conversions of individual properties within the residential, commercial, industrial, transport, education and healthcare sectors.
Once a noise survey has been carried out at a site and the noise sources have been identified and assessed, computer noise modelling can be an effective way to predict the impact of a development on existing noise-sensitive sources or the impact of noise on a new source.
Our acoustic consultants often use CadnaA, a state-of-the-art noise prediction software package that can be used to study noise from individual plant or entire towns!
Noise modelling is also effective for developing noise mitigation measures in order to protect future residents or existing noise sensitive receptors against excessive noise levels.
Noise mitigation can take various forms, and is often applied as a range of measures within a single scheme. Typical mitigation strategies include the use of acoustic bunds, barriers or fences and alterations to the building layout and orientation.
Noise impacts on a new development may also be effectively reduced by enhancing the specification of the building façade in the form of minimum glazing and ventilation requirements, and enhanced external wall and roof constructions.
Noise impacts from a new development may be effectively reduced by restricting the opening hours and operations at a proposed site so that noise impacts do not occur during sensitive times such as late night and early morning. Noise management plans are also an effective means of controlling against potential noise impacts and are sometimes a requirement for certain types of development, such as pubs and clubs.
Standards
What our clients say...
