Background
Neilcott Construction Ltd commissioned Anderson Acoustics to provide acoustic consultancy for the Surrey Independent Living Developments project at the former Coveham Hostel site in Cobham. The development consists of two new apartment blocks (12 units total), with the primary environmental noise source being the nearby A307 Portsmouth Road.
The project aimed to meet Employer’s Requirements and comply with Building Regulations Approved Document E (ADE), focusing on sound insulation, noise control, and acoustic comfort for future residents.
What We Did
Comprehensive Acoustic Review and Design
- External Building Fabric: Assessed proposed façade, wall, roof, and glazing systems to ensure they met or exceeded minimum sound reduction requirements;
- Ventilation Strategy: Developed solutions using acoustic trickle vents and passive ventilators to maintain indoor noise levels, even during summer overheating scenarios;
- Internal Building Fabric: Specified wall and floor constructions to achieve ADE compliance, including robust junction detailing to prevent flanking noise transmission;
- Doors and Penetrations: Recommended high-performance entrance doors and detailed best practices for service penetrations and pipework to maintain acoustic integrity;
- Reverberation Control: Proposed absorbent finishes and ceiling panels in common areas to control reverberation time;
- Building Services Noise: Advised on resilient anti-vibration mounts for mechanical equipment and set strict noise criteria for internal building services.
Conclusion
The Stage 4 acoustic design review confirmed that the proposed solutions for SIL Coveham are expected to:
- Achieve compliance with all relevant acoustic standards and Employer’s Requirements;
- Provide excellent control of environmental and internal noise, ensuring a comfortable living environment for residents;
- Deliver robust sound insulation between apartments and communal spaces, with additional guidance for best practice in challenging areas;
- Recommend further enhancements, such as increased absorption in corridors and resilient mounts for plant equipment, to optimise acoustic performance.
Project Progress
Our involvement ensures that Neilcott Construction Ltd can proceed confidently, knowing the development’s acoustic design would meet regulatory and client expectations, supporting the creation of high-quality independent living spaces. The Coveham Supported Independent Living Development was completed in March.
Similar supported independent living developments have also taken shape in Byfleet and Horley, both builds completed late last year. Across all three sites, 44 people will be supported to live more independently.
We are proud to have worked with Neilcott Construction on all three schemes.
