Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by P Johnson & Son (1976) Ltd to undertake a planning noise assessment for a proposed commercial redevelopment of the former farm shop at Layham’s Farm in Keston.
The project involved the change of use of a former farm shop into a MOT and repairs garage (B2 use). A former planning application for the existing building was granted planning permission in 2020 for re-cladding works and change of use to B1c and B8. However, given a potential MOT business was interested in the building and as the site was within proximity to a residential property; a new application for a further change of use to B2 was required and a noise assessment requested to support the application.
What we did
An assessment of the noise impact from the operation of the proposed MOT and repairs garage has been undertaken in accordance with Local Authority criteria, in this case London Borough of Bromley (LBB), which required the rating level from industrial operation to be controlled to 10dB below the existing background sound level at the nearest noise-sensitive premises.
Continuous unattended sound level measurements were obtained over an approximate six-day period with the monitor positioned at a location representative of the nearest noise-sensitive receptor. Attended sound level measurements were also taken to understand the levels of sound emitted by vehicle repair activity. An assessment of the measurements led us to conclude that activity sound levels from the proposed MOT and vehicle repairs operation at the former farm shop were predicted to comply with the London Borough of Bromley’s criteria.
However, despite a robust assessment, the London Borough of Bromley rejected planning permission to the development on noise grounds. We, therefore, provided a technical memo to provide yet further evidence to demonstrate that the operation of the proposed scheme would not be detrimental to the amenity of neighbouring residential receptors. As a result, planning permission was subsequently granted.
What this means for Planners/EHOs/Developers
There is always more that could be done, but where we try to strike the right balance when preparing our scope of works and undertaking assessments to avoid unnecessary consultancy and design costs and delays. It is increasingly rare that we can have a constructive conversation with a Council Officer upfront, however, and where there are often factors beyond our control, and so we cant promise to win them all. However, we do promise to be clear and open about your choices and our decisions, and to keep plugging away, whilst based on our extensive experience, it’s rare we don’t win!
