Wimbledon High School Playing Fields

Background 

The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) commissioned Anderson Acoustics to support planning and compliance requirements associated with the use and development of sports facilities at Wimbledon High School Playing Fields on Nursery Road, London SW19. Two key assessments were conducted: 

• A noise impact assessment  (May 2024) to support a planning application for the replacement of floodlights on the hockey pitch;
• A noise monitoring exercise (November 2025), required as Condition 3 of the planning decision for the installation of a new hockey pitch, to ensure operational noise remained within approved limits. 

The playing fields sit within a predominantly residential. Ensuring that sports activities did not adversely impact nearby residents was essential to the success of both the planning application and its ongoing compliance. 

The Challenge 

Two distinct but related challenges were presented: 

Demonstrating future compliance for the floodlight replacement application

The local authority  required  assurance that extended operating hours enabled by new floodlighting would not cause adverse noise effects at noise-sensitive receptors. This included existing residences and newly approved dwellings in the surrounding area.

Verifying real-world noise levels after the new hockey pitch became operational

Following installation of the pitch, Condition 3  required: 

• A representative noise monitoring assessment within six weeks of first use;
• Confirmation that actual noise emissions aligned with predictions from the original planning assessment; 
• Submission of results to the Local Planning Authority within three weeks. 

This required robust measurement, careful correlation with pitch usage timetables, and comparison with previously modelled noise scenarios. 

What We Did

Comprehensive baseline and predictive noise modelling

For the floodlighting application,  we: 

• Conducted unattended and attended baseline noise surveys over a week
• Developed a detailed  CadnaA  3D noise model, incorporating:  
  • Local topography 
  • Surrounding building massing 
  • Rail noise data calibrated using DEFRA’s England Noise & Air Quality Viewer 
  • Ground absorption and reflections 
• Applied Sport England AGP Acoustics guidance to evaluate two assessment methods:  
  • Absolute activity noise levels 
  • Change in ambient noise  relative  to baseline 

This dual-method approach ensured alignment with planning policy frameworks, including the NPSE, NPPF, and Merton Local Plan.

Post-installation noise monitoring and compliance assessment

For the Condition 3 monitoring exercise, we: 

• Installed multiple noise monitors at free-field locations around the site;
• Recorded continuous noise levels over seven days;
• Analysed discrepancies 

Conclusion 

Through detailed modelling, rigorous measurement, and adherence to national and local acoustic planning frameworks, we successfully supported GDST in both securing planning approval and  demonstrating post-construction compliance  – ensuring the facilities can be used sustainably and confidently. 

Project Progress

London Borough of Merton granted discharge of  the  planning condition  related to noise on  9th  January 2026  allowing the project to move forward.