Background
We were commissioned by Dove Jeffery Homes in June 2023 to undertake noise and air quality assessments to support a planning application for the development known as Chalkwell Lawns.
The project involves the demolition of existing buildings and carpark, and the construction of 25 new apartments over 2 blocks made up of residential and commercial space at 658-664 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea.
What we did
Planning Stage Noise Assessment
When undertaking our assessment we followed the guidance in the Professional Planning Guidance on Planning & Noise: New Residential Development (the ProPG), whilst also making reference to the relevant national and local noise policies.
The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Local Planning Framework highlights the importance placed on Design Quality:
“Policy DMQ – Design Quality: The Council will support good quality, innovative design that contributes positively to the creation of successful places”
Good Acoustic Design
In terms of good acoustic design, we proposed acoustic screening to be installed along the shared site boundary with the supermarket to the west. In addition, we also proposed full height solid balcony balustrades to introduce line-of-sight screening between the private balconies and the supermarket plant. These measures should further reduce the level of perceptible plant noise at the new dwellings.
We advised an alternative ventilative cooling method for areas of the building where openable windows are expected to increase internal noise levels.
Since whole-dwelling mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (MVHR) are proposed, we advised trickle vents would not be required. To meet the relevant internal noise targets however, we recommended the installation of the highest specification glazing to ensure the required façade sound insulation.
Planning Stage Air Quality Assessment
Assessment of the potential effects of existing air quality on the human health of future occupants of the buildings was achieved through assessing the location of the development against measured NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the context of the air quality objectives, limit values and future trends in air quality. Our assessment showed that the baseline air quality was considered suitable for the proposed residential use without the need for air quality mitigation to the buildings.
The effect of the proposed development on the environment was assessed through screening the building and transport emissions against criteria. Our assessment showed the air quality to be considered suitable for the proposed residential and commercial uses without the need for mitigation to the ventilation system or other design measures to reduce pollution concentrations such as standoff.
We also undertook a dust risk assessment to identify the category of risk from dust emissions associated with the demolition, earthworks, construction and track out phases, and to put in place a suitable management and mitigation strategy to ensure negative impacts and adverse effects are controlled and reduced. Given the proximity of human receptors within 50m of the site, and as per the procedure in the IAQM’s Guidance on the Assessment of Dust from Demolition and Construction, we proceeded to a detailed assessment.
The detailed assessment included identifying the sensitivity of the area, determining the potential risk category of each works phase and proposing mitigation measures.
Conclusions
We concluded that the proposed development was considered a suitable land use and compliant with relevant air quality policy and that as long as the acoustic measures are incorporated in the design, we recommended planning consent should be granted.
Project Progress
The planning application was presented to the Development Control Committee in June 2024 and was unanimously approved by members.
