Noise Impact Assessment Surveys
In the large cities like London, there is more noise pollution than ever before; this comes from large range of noise sources, from sirens and alarms to noise traffic and music/sport venues. As more people move into cities and start to inhabit an increasingly compacted space the work of acoustic consultants is becoming ever more important to help reduce excess noise levels.
Noise Assessment in London
This can be done through a variety of means and methods, one of the most important methods in the context of busy urban environments in the noise impact assessment.
The primary purpose of a noise impact assessment is to measure and predict the impact that a development will have on the surrounding environment, residents and whatever noise sensitive receptors happen to be within the vicinity of the development.
There are many reasons that the local authority may require a noise impact assessment, this can include the opening of an entertainment premises in a sensitive area, the installation of new mechanical plant such as a new air-conditioning unit or a change in opening hours of a premises that already has permission to operate from the local council, such as a bar/nightclub wanting to extend its licence from 11pm to 2am.
Nightclub Noise 
In most cases a planning permission officer or the local environmental health team will be the first person involved in informing a client that they are in need of a noise impact assessment, this will typically be due to the fact that a complaint or concern has arisen around the increased noise and/or the perceived increase in noise due to a change of use or an increase in licencing hours.
Our noise impact assessment will measure and predict the effects that the new/proposed noise source will be likely have on the current noise climate. This is achieved by firstly establishing a baseline measure of the existing noise climate and then comparing this with the introduced noise. If this comparison cannot be achieved due to practical purposes, then a reasonable prediction can be made through various modelling methods.
In our experience, there can be a large variety of scenarios and requirements that may be present during noise impact assessments, with this in mind it is important to liaise with the case officer and environmental health team, in order to ensure that the appropriate legislation and British Standards are being adhered to at all times.
If you would like to know more about of noise impact assessment service, please contact us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or contact me (Darren) directly on 07775 623464. Alternately please visit our website at www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk