Noise impact assessments are often required at the planning stage of developments that may generate noise, and noise-sensitive developments which may be affected by noise. Some developments, such as mixed use, fall into both categories. Potentially noise generating developments often require a Noise Impact Assessment to be undertaken. This normally requires existing ambient noise levels to be established, typically by undertaking measurements, and the impact of noise from the development to be established. For large developments, it is often necessary to consider secondary effects, such as the impact of increased traffic on existing roads.
A BS 8233 Noise survey report; or, noise impact assessment should be submitted during pre-application discussions or more commonly during a planning application. In some circumstances, a planning condition will be included on the planning permission requiring the submission of a noise report.
In many cases it will be the planning officer or the local environmental health team that will inform 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.
There may a number of 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.
The BS8233 noise assessment may also set out control measures where it is necessary to reduce noise to acceptable levels. For example, the installation of different glazing e.g. from double to triple glazed panels or acoustic trickle vents are installed so that internal noise standards are met.
If noise levels are shown as NEC category B and above, the local authority will look for noise reduction measures that will achieve the “good” internal noise level criteria in bedrooms and living rooms set out in BS8233:2014. Where the noise levels are shown as NEC category D, the local authority usually recommends that planning consent be refused.
If you have a new development and the local authority have requested you undertake a BS8233 Noise Assessment then please speak with our noise consultants today. The noise assessment process isn’t intrusive, lengthy or costly. Normally we would leave a meter over a 24 hour period which would gather the necessary data automatically, taking into account other factors such as construction, setting and external variables. We could then provide a detailed report and offer valuable advice how best to proceed.
If you would like to know more about or noise impact assessment service, please contact us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or contact Darren directly on 07775 623464. Alternately if you would like more information on noise assessments then please visit our checklist page which has lots of useful information.