Background
The applicant sought to develop a new 5/6-bedroom residential dwelling adjacent to Oaksworth, Church Road, Crawley. The site, situated near the M23 motorway, required careful consideration of road traffic noise to meet local planning requirements. Anderson Acoustics was commissioned to provide acoustic consultancy services to discharge the relevant planning condition, ensuring the new home would offer a comfortable living environment despite its proximity to the motorway.
Challenge
The primary challenge was to protect future residents from excessive noise exposure due to the nearby M23. The planning condition stipulated internal noise limits for living rooms and bedrooms, both during the day and at night. The site’s exposure to persistent road traffic noise meant that achieving these standards would require a robust mitigation strategy, balancing acoustic comfort with ventilation and overheating requirements.
What We Did
- Baseline Noise Survey: we conducted a detailed, unattended noise survey over three days to establish typical ambient noise levels at the site;
- 3D Noise Modelling: using advanced modelling software, the team predicted noise levels at various façades of the proposed building, accounting for topography and surrounding structures;
- Mitigation Strategy: recommendations were developed for glazing and ventilation. Double glazing specifications were provided throughout to meet internal noise criteria;
- Ventilation & Overheating Assessment: we evaluated the feasibility of using openable windows for cooling. Due to medium risk of noise intrusion on exposed façades, a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system, supplemented by an alternative form of cooling, was proposed to provide thermal comfort without compromising acoustic performance;
- Compliance Review: all proposals were reviewed to ensure full compliance with the planning condition and relevant acoustic standards.
Result
The assessment demonstrated that the proposed building design, with a robust ventilation strategy, would achieve the required internal noise levels. The solution ensured that residents would enjoy a peaceful indoor environment, even in the presence of significant external noise, and that the development fully complied with local planning requirements.
The project highlights our expertise in delivering practical, standards-compliant solutions for challenging residential sites.
Project Progress
Crawley Borough Council granted planning permission on 14th August 2023 allowing the project to move forward.
