Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by AGI Architecture to undertake a noise impact assessment to support the “Outline application for the erection of 58 commercial units, cafe and associated parking including access, appearance, layout and scale.” The proposed site is currently vacant and is located on an industrial estate that includes existing light industrial use units.
What we did
We undertook a noise impact assessment in accordance with BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 ‘Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound’ together with consideration of relevant local and national policy and recommendations from the Thanet District Council Environmental Protection team.
We undertook a detailed baseline noise survey and generated a 3D noise model demonstrating the use of the proposed units operating during the proposed operational hours, including assumptions of noise sources associated with the units being in use simultaneously.
We concluded that sound level at the worst-affected dwellings would be well below the ambient conditions and other relevant noise criteria. Since the site has been operational for over 10 years and is recognised as a site to be retained for employment use, we considered that there would be no noise impact in practice.
Subject to the adoption of the Site Management Controls we proposed, our assessment indicated that there should be no adverse noise impact upon existing residential receptors due to the proposed operations. As such, noise should not be a determining factor in the determination of the planning application, and no other controls (such as the use of physical measures or hours restrictions for operation or servicing) are considered necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.
Project Progress
Thanet District Council granted permission for the outline application in April 2023.
