Background
Anderson Acoustics was appointed by Landivar Architects to provide a noise impact assessment in support of a planning application for a residential development on the former Burchett & Hards coal merchant site on Station Road, Henfield. The proposed scheme involved the redevelopment of a previously occupied commercial site within a predominantly residential area.
Our assessment considered the existing acoustic environment, the suitability of the proposed dwellings in relation to internal and external noise levels, overheating requirements, and potential impacts from proposed plant.
Challenge
The site is located adjacent to Station Road, where road traffic was identified as the dominant source of environmental noise however the Council had raised concerns regarding a small removals depot nearby. This required consideration of how external noise could affect future residents, both within the proposed homes and in private outdoor amenity spaces.
In addition to meeting recognised residential noise criteria, the design needed to demonstrate compliance with overheating guidance, to determien whether occupiers could rely on opening windows for ventilation without unacceptable noise intrusion. Proposed air source heat pumps also required assessment to establish appropriate operational noise limits and protect neighbouring properties.
What We Did
We undertook an environmental noise survey to establish baseline daytime and night-time noise conditions at the site. The survey data was used to assess internal noise levels against the recommendations of BS 8233 and to determine the façade performance required for residential use.
We reviewed the proposed building construction and ventilation strategy, including the use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and calculated the glazing performance needed to achieve suitable internal acoustic conditions.
The assessment also considered overheating requirements under Approved Document O, evaluating whether openable windows could be relied upon to provide thermal comfort during warmer periods. External amenity areas were assessed against BS 8233 guidance, and plant noise limits were established for the proposed air source heat pumps to inform future equipment selection.
Overall, the assessment concluded that the development was suitable from an acoustic perspective and that planning permission should not be refused on noise grounds, subject to the recommendations set out within the report.
Project Progress
Horsham District Council granted planning permission on 9th January 2026.
