Brighton Townhouse

Anderson Acoustics was appointed by Brighton Seafront Properties Ltd to provide acoustic design advice for the redevelopment of the former New Madeira Hotel on Marine Parade into a 43-bedroom hotel. The building is not listed but sits within Brighton’s seafront conservation area, on a constrained site alongside residential neighbours.

We were involved from RIBA Stage 2 through Stage 3, providing acoustic input across the full design. This covered internal sound insulation, indoor ambient noise, building services noise and vibration, external plant noise and the acoustic performance of the façade. Our advice supported both the planning application and the detailed design, and was developed alongside the architect and mechanical services engineer as part of the wider project team. Acoustic criteria were set to meet Approved Document E of the Building Regulations and the Soho House & Co Acoustic Brand Standards.

The Challenge

The site sits immediately north of Marine Parade (the A259), where road traffic is the dominant feature of the existing noise environment. Residential properties are close on several sides, including façades and a rooftop balcony directly adjacent to the areas set aside for new mechanical plant.

The redevelopment introduced new rooftop plant close to these neighbours, including condensers, air source heat pumps and an air handling unit. Following submission of an initial planning statement, the Environmental Health Officer at Brighton & Hove City Council requested further information. This included a full environmental noise survey and a plant noise assessment demonstrating that plant would not exceed existing background sound levels at the nearest homes.

Internally, the conversion brought its own challenges. Guestrooms needed to meet enhanced sound insulation standards using a mix of retained masonry, existing timber floors and new lightweight partitions, while services, the lift and the laundry each had the potential to transfer noise between rooms.

Our Approach

We carried out a detailed environmental noise survey across the site, combining unattended and attended measurements to establish representative background sound levels for both daytime and night-time periods. The results were assessed in line with BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 and the Planning Noise Advice Document: Sussex.

Using manufacturer octave-band sound data for each item of plant, we built a 3D acoustic model of the scheme in CadnaA. This predicted plant noise at nearby residential façades and rooftop receptors under worst-case operating conditions, giving a clear basis for identifying where levels would be too high and defining the noise reduction each item would need to achieve.

Alongside the plant work, we reviewed the architectural and services design at Stage 2 and Stage 3. We set sound insulation targets for the separating walls and floors, recommended practical wall and floor build-ups to achieve them, and flagged design risks for the design team to address. These included doors within partitions, flanking through the timber floors, retained structural columns and the laundry. We also advised on building services noise and vibration, and on the façade glazing needed to control road traffic noise break-in and keep guestrooms comfortable.

The Solution

For external plant, we set design targets so that the rating level would not exceed the established background sound level at the nearest homes. Where the model showed levels would be too high, we developed noise control measures with the design team. These included acoustic enclosures around the rooftop condensers and air source heat pumps, along with in-line silencers on the air handling unit intake and discharge. Performance was defined by octave band so that the plant would comply during both daytime and night-time operation, taking the quieter night-time settings into account.

Internally, we recommended wall and floor constructions to meet the enhanced sound insulation criteria, including linings to retained masonry and a floating floor over the existing timber joists. We also advised on detailing to control flanking, crosstalk through ductwork and vibration from the services and lift. Room acoustic finishes were recommended for corridors and stairwells to limit reverberation.

The Outcome

With the noise control measures in place, predicted plant noise rating levels meet the agreed criteria at every assessed receptor, during both the day and night. At several locations, predicted levels fall below the existing background, reducing the likelihood of disturbance or future complaint.

The assessment gave the Environmental Health Officer the clear, standards-based evidence needed to support the plant strategy and discharge the planning requirement relating to plant noise. Our Stage 2 and Stage 3 reviews gave the design team a practical set of recommendations to carry the acoustic requirements through into construction, covering sound insulation, building services, the façade and room acoustics.

Conclusion

Brighton Townhouse shows how clear, evidence-led acoustic advice can support a complex hotel redevelopment on a constrained seafront site. By combining site-specific noise data, detailed modelling and proportionate, workable design measures, we helped the project meet planning policy, satisfy the Environmental Health Officer and protect neighbouring residents, all while keeping the acoustic requirements practical for the team to deliver.