Background
We were commissioned by London Borough of Hillingdon to produce a Statement of Case for the appeal application for the proposed residential-led mixed-use development at the Stanford House site, 9 Nestle Avenue, Hayes.
The Challenge
As the development was to provide a high proportion of single aspect dwellings, including a number facing towards Strategic Industrial Land, the Council had rejected the application on noise grounds. It considered that the development failed to demonstrate sufficient provisions to mitigate against a potential noise generating use on the neighbouring site.
The Solution
We reviewed the applicant’s noise assessment report and gave due consideration of the findings with national and local noise policy. Accordingly, we considered the potential noise impact from existing and future development on the proposed development in line with the ‘agent of change’ principal.
We prepared a draft Statement of Case to document the review of the applicant’s noise assessment and the likely effectiveness and suitability of mitigation for the proposed development. We also attended the appeal application hearing where we acted on the Council’s behalf as an expert witness on matters of noise.
The Result
We concluded that whilst it was our professional opinion that the potential for adverse noise effects from existing and future commercial operations had not been fully considered in accordance with the relevant British Standard, best practice guidance and national and local policy, suitable mitigation could be secured through planning conditions. Thus helping to progress the development, whilst achieving local and national policy compliance.
