Background
As part of the proposed development of Hampden Fields Primary School in Aylesbury, Ridge and Partners LLP commissioned Anderson Acoustics to undertake detailed acoustic design work.
The new school includes a 90-place nursery, an 18-place SEND unit, a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), rooftop plant, and a new car park. With the school centrally located within a wider masterplan development, ensuring suitable sound conditions for learning – while protecting nearby residential receptors – was critical.
The Challenge
A complex surrounding noise environment
- Road traffic from the A41, A413, new Link Road and surrounding streets;
- Activity noise from existing schools and community facilities;
- Lack of site-specific background sound data due to ongoing masterplan construction.
Multiple noise-sensitive receptors
- New neighbouring residential properties (ground and first floor);
- Teaching spaces, including highly sensitive SEND and Early Years classrooms;
- Roof-level plant located close to habitable windows.
Significant onsite noise sources
- A relocated MUGA expected to operate during the day and for community use;
- Mechanical plant including ASHPs, condensers, AHUs and extract systems;
- Potential car park noise.
The challenge was to ensure good acoustic was accommodated early in the cost plan to ensure compliance with planning requirements, comfort for future pupils, and minimal impact on neighbours, while avoiding unnecessary overdesign.
Two key pieces of technical work informed the project:
- Acoustic Design Strategy (Stage 2 Report) – covering outdoor noise climate, ventilation strategies, sound insulation, reverberation control and planning noise criteria;
- Noise Impact Assessment (2025 Planning Report) – evaluating noise from fixed plant and relocated MUGA, using BS4142, BS8233 and Sport England guidance.
Together, these assessments ensured the school design met Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), DfE Output Specification standards and local planning policy.
Anderson Acoustics will retain a watching brief on behalf of the Client throughout the construction phases.
