Noise Impact Assessment

In planning terms a noise impact assessment assesses the change in the acoustic environment that would be brought about by a new development, and is often required by local planning authorities. The assessment typically involves an assessment of the baseline existing noise climate comparing this against the predicted noise level from the proposed development, and the effect on sensitive receivers, providing mitigation methods where appropriate.

Noise Impact Assessments will normally assess the impact of noise from:

• Noise during construction
• Noise from fixed plant such as air handling units, chillers etc.
• Noise due to increase in traffic generated by the development.
• The internal acoustic environment of any new proposed residential dwelling, school or healthcare facility.

The first step in a Noise Impact Assessment is the undertaking of a baseline environmental noise survey (manual, or automated). This enables the appraisal of the noise source under investigation, or the background noise profile of the area that is being assessed. If vibration is a factor that needs to be assessed, then vibration measurements will also accompany the noise measurements, either in the form of a manual or automated survey. The predicted noise level post development is then determined using computational modelling. Where this is likely to exceed required limits mitigation measures are recommended. This work will be summarised in a technical report which will demonstrate to the local authority that good acoustic design has been implemented.

For more information or to book your noise impact assessment please call us on 01865 378885 or complete the Contact Us form to speak to an experienced member of our acoustic team.