Background
We were commissioned by Wealden District Council to undertake a noise impact assessment in support of a planning application for a new sports park in Horsebridge to the north of Hailsham, East Sussex.
The development included: 2 full size 3G football pitches; 2 9v9 football pitches; 2 multi-use games areas (MUGAs); bowling green; 2 changing buildings; car park; and access via a new roundabout.
The Solution
An assessment was undertaken to consider the impact of noise from activity on the various sports pitches on nearby noise sensitive properties in accordance with the Sports England Design Guide. Continuous sound level measurements were obtained over a period of a week to obtain robust data on the variation in existing sound levels in the vicinity of the nearest properties.
Based on a 3D noise model of the proposed development, we found that the Sports England default criterion would be exceeded by up to 3 dB, whilst there would also be an uplift in existing ambient acoustic conditions during the busiest periods of use. Accordingly, together with consultation with the wider project team and residents, and considering the intervening topography, we worked with the landscape architect to design a mutually agreeable screening solution. The 3m high screening would be sufficient to reduce sound levels to meet the relevant absolute sound level threshold and avoid a potentially material change in existing conditions, whilst not representing an excessively tall structure.
