Environmental
Acoustics Withthe
increasing pressure to develop brownfield and urban sites, noise is
commonly an important factor in many planning applications. An increasing
number of local planning authorities are requiring noise surveys and
assessments in support of planning applications for proposed residential
development in urban areas, which are typically affected by transport,
industrial and entertainment noise. Noise assessments are occasionally
required for residential development in rural areas affected by noise
from mineral extraction operations.
Principles and specific guidelines
on noise and planning issues are given in Planning Policy Guidance
Note 24 ‘Planning and Noise’ (1994). PPG24 defines
four Noise Exposure Categories, which indicate to what extent
noise should be considered by the local planning authority in
the granting of planning permission and, in turn, the extent
of any noise mitigation measures.
Irrespective of the proposed
development, be it residential, industrial, commercial or retail,
ENS works closely with regulatory bodies (local planning authorities
and environmental protection services) in advance of the noise
assessment to determine the noise sources of concern and the
noise conditions likely to be imposed on the proposed development.
A scope of work for the noise
survey is then agreed with the regulator in advance of the survey
and assessment, which enables us to provide the client with
a fixed price quotation and in most instances eliminate the
need to revisit a site to collate further noise data.
ENS then classifies the
noise climate at a site and, where necessary, designs cost-effective
attenuation measures for both airborne and structural borne
impacts.
Our range of services
within the environmental acoustics sector includes:
Liaison with the local planning authority
and environmental health departments to determine relevant
noise criteria.
Noise and vibration surveys and assessments
to characterise a site’s ambient climate for planning
applications.
Noise monitoring at existing sites to determine
compliance with planning and operational conditions.
Environmental noise impact assessments.
Traffic, railway and airport noise assessment,
prediction and control.
Industrial, commercial and retail noise
assessment, prediction and control.
Representation at public inquiries, liquor
and public entertainment licensing hearings.
Examples of recent commissions in
the environmental acoustics sector have included:
Noise and vibration survey and assessment
for residential development adjacent to a main railway
line.
Noise assessment for a major residential
development adjacent to a main motorway.
Noise assessment for a major mixed-use
development in Leeds City Centre.
Assessment of the noise impact of a large
manufacturing works on a proposed housing development
in South Yorkshire.
Our experience in preparing noise surveys and assessments
at competitive fixed price quotations has enabled the company to secure
commissions for work throughout the UK.
Furthermore, our work is always undertaken to the satisfaction of
both clients and regulatory bodies, due to the process of advance
consultation and also because of our continuous commitment to providing
high quality, cost effective advice.
