Background
The Langham Estate controls 14 acres of real estate in central London located in the West End neighbourhood of Fitzrovia, home to many of the Capital’s businesses.
Since 2019, we have been commissioned by Langham Estate Management Ltd to support a number of planning applications providing noise impact assessments for the proposed installation of plant on several of the Estate’s commercial buildings.
This case study looks at 4 projects we worked on for Portland Street and Margaret Street.
What we did
In each case, the noise emissions from the building services plant were assessed against Westminster City Council (WCC) planning noise criteria. The criteria specify that noise levels should not exceed certain thresholds at the nearest noise-sensitive receptors incl. both residential and commercial, background noise levels and the character of the noise
These criteria are detailed in WCC’s Environmental Supplementary Planning Document, which outlines the acceptable noise levels for plant machinery.
Project A: Portland House, 4 Great Portland Street, London
Scope: A noise impact assessment for the installation of new and of existing plant serving a commercial building. The proposed plant installation includes 8 air conditioning units.
Although not strictly required, a noise survey was conducted to understand the existing noise environment. Continuous noise monitoring was performed at roof level, capturing ambient and background noise data over a period of several days. The survey confirmed that the noise environment was dominated by existing plant, and the proposed plant installation would not result in an increase in ambient noise levels.
Project B: 9 Little Portland Street, London
Scope: A noise impact assessment for the installation of new plant equipment serving a commercial building. The site at 9 Little Portland Street is surrounded by commercial and residential premises. The assessment aimed to support a planning application by evaluating the potential noise impact on nearby noise-sensitive premises. The proposed plant installation included 5 air conditioning units.
Project C: 47-50 Margaret Street, London
Scope: Assessment of new plant serving a commercial building. The proposed plant installation included seven condensing units.
Project D: 51-53 Margaret Street, London
Scope: Assessment of new plant serving an existing commercial building. The proposed plant installation included seven external air conditioning units.
A noise survey was conducted to capture ambient and background noise data. Measurements were taken continuously over a period of two days using precision sound level meters.
Outcome
In each case, the noise impact assessment demonstrated that the proposed plant noise levels were within acceptable limits for both residential and commercial receptors, ensuring compliance with Westminster City Council (WCC). No additional mitigation measures were required and we recommended planning permission be given.
WCC subsequently granted permission for each application.
