Background
Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by JASFIC Ltd to undertake a planning noise assessment for this proposed development on Beach Road, Newhaven.
The project involved the construction of a sustainable modular housing development comprising 10no. three-bedroom residential units on a vacant part of Norton Road Business Park (previously Brightwell Industrial Estate), owned by JASFIC Ltd, with the units fronting, and accessed via, Beach Road. As residential units, they would be noise-sensitive in the usual way, and being close to both Beach Road and the Business Park (and other, neighbouring commercial/light industrial units), our report presented a noise assessment to support the planning application.
What we did
Since the assessment was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, with England under its third lockdown, it was informed by a combination of recent and previous noise surveys. We were in the fortunate position of having considered this site and beyond on two occasions prior to the pandemic (for a larger residential scheme and a commercial/light industrial scheme), whereby we had sufficient data from which to draw.
As appropriate, the assessment was based on a combination of the guidance in national and local policy, and BS 4142, BS 8233, the Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise and the Acoustics, Ventilation and Overheating Residential Design Guide.
Continuous sound level measurements were made in two locations over a seven-day period, at both the westernmost and southernmost point of the Business Park. This was then followed by brief attended sound level measurements made in up to five locations during a daytime, evening and night-time period over two days. The aim being to adequately account for the operation of the neighbouring commercial units to ensure that the proposed dwellings were suitably designed to appropriately manage the risk of noise complaints potentially affecting the future operations of the employment sites.
It was also a requirement of the Local Authority’s Policy DM23: Noise; to consider how noise conditions may change in the future, especially where commercial/industrial noise is concerned. As it happens the site was close to a vacant employment site, and where, further afield, the area was subject to the future operation of the near-complete Port Access Road and associated development sites. Considerations was given to these, therefore, but where it was concluded that only changes to the local commercial sites could be potentially significant. Accordingly, discussions were held with the owner, and where it was concluded that, realistically, uses would be no different or acoustically worse that had already been accounted for.
The assessment of the ambient sound levels found that levels in gardens should be no higher typically than 50 dB, whereby the relevant criteria would be met. This included the assumption of 1.8 m tall wall or close-boarded fencing around the gardens. The assessment also showed that for the majority of the time, and for the majority of rooms, reasonable or better internal noise conditions would be achieved with standard glazing and ventilation units. At night, however, where the maximum (LAmax) sound levels apply in terms of sleep disturbance, it was found that greater sound insulation would be required, particularly overlooking Beach Road.
The highest sound insulation requirement was found to be 32 dB (RW+Ctr), which is moderate, with example glazing units that should achieve this presented for information. With windows open, the relevant internal criteria (for habitable rooms) would be exceeded in the majority of instances, with the exception of the ground floor rooms to the rear. This is not unusual, however, and only potentially significant where there is a risk of overheating, and especially if more than for a few isolated occasions. However, for the bedrooms overlooking Beach Road, and taking into account the typical highest hourly sound levels, the guidance in the AVO Guide is that relying on opening windows to mitigate overheating should be avoided. Accordingly, alternative means were discussed, with the use of MVHR units considered a reasonable compromise (between the alterative passive and active options).
What this means for Planners/EHOs/Developers
We are able to work innovatively within a difficult environment such as caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and able to effectively use data stored in our extensive technical library. We are also well versed in and track updates to local and national planning policies as well as technical and best practice guidance, to be able to provide thorough advice and reports.
