Noise Assessment

Noise Survey for Planning

Over the course of the planning stage of any new development proposal, a number of factors need to be considered. If protected species of animals or plants could be present, an ecology survey will be needed, or if trees are on the development site, an arboricultural survey will be needed.

Various other assessments may be required in order to organise the necessary inspections and meet the strict conditions of your local council. Exposure to noise can be difficult to bypass, not helped by the many different types of noise that could affect the occupants of a building, such as background noise, commercial noise, road traffic noise, construction noise, environmental noise, industrial noise, occupational noise, temporary noise and workplace noise.

Internal noise and external noise from a development can alter the noise character in an area, infringing on the status quo of people, wildlife and nearby residents in the vicinity, and raising concerns in the minds of the local authorities. Prior to allowing any private, industrial and commercial premises to generate noise to such an extent that it has an environmental impact or suffer from excessive noise from the surroundings, it is worthwhile to consider potential noise impact pre-emptively and question whether it could cause a noise nuisance in or as a result of the local area.

It is possible to do this by booking a noise assessment, allowing an acoustic consultant to undertake a risk assessment over excess noise, help with planning applications, and bring with it many other benefits, such as occupational noise monitoring and noise surveying for health and safety purposes, as well as a workplace noise assessment and acoustic consultancy services.

Acoustic Design

During the creation of any new building, an important part of the early planning stage consists of considering the architectural acoustics. The concept of acoustic design facilitates integration of matters relating to how sound will move around the interior of a building, prevent unwanted sound propagation from the exterior, and eliminate any potential impact on human health.

Sound waves will naturally bounce off interior walls and move around the building, and the same will happen externally whenever it rains or nearby transport noise sources reach the building. If acoustic design has not been factored into the development plans, a lack of insulation could cause unwanted sound within the building, allow indoor sound to be heard outside, and harm the acoustics. Sound insulation testing may also be required to reduce noise exposure and ensure compliance with building regulations and Approved Document E (Part E).

Why Acoustic Design is Important in Building Design

Correctly orchestrated acoustic design eliminates any chance of causing infringements to human health. A study on patients recovering in a healthcare facility found that controlling ambient noise levels effectively can support the health of everyone within a building. Results suggested that prolonged loud noises caused irritation, impacted pain tolerance, infringed on mental wellbeing and triggered noise-induced hearing loss, leading to the need for hearing tests.

It was also evident from the study that sudden bursts of noise had the power to increase blood pressure and worsen existing injuries by setting off the body’s reflexes. Noise pollution also affects the ability to sleep. Aside from potentially hindering mental and physical health, acoustical design is also crucial to guaranteeing that the transmission and flow of sound is organised accordingly in line with optimal levels and helps prevent significant occupational disease and other acoustic trauma conditions.

What is a Noise Assessment?

Otherwise known as a noise survey, acoustic survey or acoustic assessment, a noise assessment is a broad term given to an analysis of an indoor or outdoor area to determine the new, existing or predicted noise levels of a future project’s sound environment. A noise assessment consultant will manage the survey process, visiting the affected area with monitoring equipment and sound level metres to undertake an inspection, record key information and noise data, and display their findings in a noise report.

In planning, it would involve measuring the existing background noise levels on a proposed site or the impact a development project could have on local noise exposure levels. It also applies to other areas away from planning, such as in the workplace, where an occupational noise assessment or workplace noise assessment would be used to quantify the noise exposure levels within a working day. The results then determine whether suitable hearing protection, health surveillance or mitigation measures are needed to protect employees, visitors or individuals in the surrounding community.

This may also include noise testing and – in some cases – post-completion sound testing to show compliance with planning conditions.

When is a Noise Assessment Required?

As the UK’s experts on ecology and arboriculture, our sole focus lies with surveys for planning, meaning that we specialise exclusively in noise assessments in relation to development. Sharing similarities with the majority of assessments that are conducted for a proposed development, a noise survey is designed to meet requirements that will allow developers to support planning applications and obtain planning permission.

Whether the local planning authority requests a baseline noise survey, residential noise surveys, construction noise assessments or the developer recognises a need for one, without the corresponding acoustic reports, planning applications will be denied. At any point where a development could compromise the local noise environment, or if it could compromise a development, it will be up to the developer to book a noise assessment on the development site.

From new residential developments and student accommodation to recording studios, construction projects and sensitive residential areas near railway noise or air source heat pumps, noise impact assessments apply across all kinds of development. The main difference is that each development has its own unique challenges, meaning it may require an early assessment of noise impact to avoid costly delays.

Who May Undertake a Noise Assessment?

Several titles are given to the professionals that carry out noise assessments, including noise assessment consultants, noise consultants, noise surveyors, acoustic consultants and acoustic surveyors. A competent person with extensive experience will possess the licensing and qualifications to undertake noise surveys correctly and in line with the latest British Standards and building regulations.

As well as holding the academic and legal elements, it is crucial that experienced acoustic consultants are also fully knowledgeable about the planning process, discharging planning conditions, and the relationship between development and the requirement for certain acoustic assessments. By harnessing a comprehensive understanding of relevant considerations, they can ensure that the necessary information is collected from the inspection and sufficient advice is provided to guarantee adherence to the local council as a method of gaining planning permission.

How Much Does a Noise Assessment Cost?

Since we started working as a survey consultancy, we’ve prided ourselves on guaranteeing competitive prices to clients and subsidising the cost wherever possible. Through operating in this way, we prevent the unfair likelihood of a developer paying as much for a survey on their small residential house as they would for the same type of acoustic survey on a large industrial facility or commercial premises.

We use a universal approach to price up all of our surveys, using a baseline cost for every assessment before adding on any further costs that will be determined by the site location and development proposal dimensions. It is an approach that we also use for noise assessments, and with that in mind, we would always urge anyone who needs to provide evidence of noise surveys to contact our team so we can put together an accurate quote for you.

In every assessment we carry out, we aim to be transparent, cost-effective and responsive, offering a quick turnaround for urgent projects.

Noise Assessment Guidelines

From the perspective of the environmental health officer and the planning officer from the local authority, it will only be possible to ensure compliance with the rules of the planning system, relevant legislation and safe working regulations by assessing industrial developments, construction activities, entertainment noise surveys, community noise issues, residential properties and private developments in a universal way.

If a development is likely to be exposed to noise or prompt a noise problem, we provide a professional service under the guidelines of UK law, the requirements of the local authorities, and based on the latest noise limits and British Standards. We also factor in the potential for any noise problem on noise-sensitive premises or existing properties, allowing us to tweak our approach to meet your needs and provide expert advice.

While we cater to the main types of noise and vibration control measures to minimise noise emissions and noise complaints, we are aware of the different aspects of imposed noise conditions that can cause negative effects to current and future occupants within the local environment. By working in this way, we can achieve our overall aim of carrying out a detailed review of development sites or construction and open sites, alongside pledging an efficient service with bespoke solutions.

We also incorporate related assessments, such as dust monitoring and vibration chapters where required.

Noise Regulations

Within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), section 15 titled ‘Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment‘ states an intention to prevent “new and existing developments from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution”. The Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) also outlines parameters for environmental noise, neighbour noise and neighbourhood noise.

The subject of noise pollution and noise nuisance also features multiple times in legislation, including in part 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and in laws that address specific noise sources such as Firework Regulations 2004, the Road Traffic Act 1972, the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use Regulations) 1986, and controls over mechanical plant and air conditioning units. The laws support the control of noise and vibration in relation to human exposure.

Noise at Work Regulations

In addition to general noise regulations, the Noise at Work Regulations require employers to assess and manage noise risks to employees. It involves identifying major noise sources, conducting work surveys, and comparing results to the upper exposure action value and lower exposure action value.

Where sound levels exceed limits, we advise on noise control measures, issue suitable hearing protection, and recommend health surveillance. For workplaces with highly mobile staff or in noisy environments like construction sites, ongoing testing services and real-time monitoring may be required. Consultants for such services ensure full compliance with HSE standards, helping to protect against noise-induced hearing loss and other health risks.

Noise Level Measurement Standard

For an inspection over levels of noise to be accurate, noise measurements and decibel categories are needed to determine a range between low noise levels and high noise levels, and in turn, between acceptable noise levels and excessive noise levels. Wind speed and other site conditions may also influence readings.

As an example, existing noise sources, noise rating categories and low to high levels of noise could be laid out as:

• Road Traffic
• Rail Traffic
• Air Traffic
• Mixed Sources

See below for a full example of noise measurement readings:

Based on the recorded decibel level, the categories above will indicate the following next steps:

Category A

• Noise would not play a role in determining decisions

Category B

• Noise would play a role in determining decisions
• Conditions are needed to ensure protection against noise

Category C

• Noise would play a role in determining decisions
• Planning permission would be refused
• Conditions are needed to ensure protection against noise

Category D

• Noise would play a role in determining decisions
• Planning permission would be refused
• Conditions cannot be made to ensure protection against noise

Noise and Planning

Various types of acoustic assessments are used to weigh up the new noise climate, provide recommendations to promote noise reduction or elimination, and contribute to the planning application. Each variation of noise assessments act more effectively at different times and under a range of circumstances based on the client’s requirements.

Although more noise surveys are available – such as background noise surveys, construction noise surveys, environmental noise surveys, occupational noise assessments, noise risk assessments for noise at work and vibration monitoring – not all of them are directly linked to planning.

The noise surveys below, however, are all applicable to development and support planning decisions in applications for planning consent.

Noise Surveys

BS 4142 Noise Assessment

Designed to analyse industrial and commercial sound, BS 4142 inspects all potential industrial or commercial noise sources on industrial facilities and commercial premises, such as fixed installations, goods loading and unloading, mechanical plant, air conditioning, the manufacturing process, and vehicles on open sites.

The BS 4142 assessment is led by a rating level that compares the noise nuisance with the background noise level that would be present regardless. It can then be examined at length in relation to context to formulate an understanding of the impact it could have.

BS 8233 Noise Assessment

Created for gauging the suitable internal noise and external noise levels, BS 8233 primarily focuses on bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms and gardens for the two separate time periods between 07:00 am and 23:00 pm in the day and 23:00 pm and 07:00 am at night.

The BS 8233 assessment will calculate the background noise environment caused by nearby existing areas and transport noise sources. From the results, the sound insulation design model can be tweaked to reduce noise on commercial and residential dwellings and improve speech intelligibility.

Noise Impact Assessment

Produced with the aim of predicting the sound level and predicted noise levels from a development in the surrounding area and the local environment, noise impact assessments will address and evaluate each noise source from planning projects and even in instances of, for example, a business extending its operating hours.

The noise impact assessment begins with an overview of the existing noise profile on the proposed site before factoring in elements from the proposed changes and working out the extent the new noise exposure could have on human exposure and environmental health.

Other Types of Noise and Survey Support

We cover every type of noise survey, including baseline surveys, industrial and commercial noise assessments, and specialist checks for transport sources or noise-sensitive developments.

Instead of just presenting results, our reports provide an assessment to support your planning application, complete with a practical action plan.

By conducting noise surveys to a high standard, we ensure that you have the evidence you need for a successful outcome.

Noise Assessment Report

Immediately following the completion of any noise assessments, the acoustic consultant will draft together a noise survey report for the attention of the local authority.

Every detail from the inspection will be covered within it, including each specific noise source on the development site, the levels of noise impact, any significant adverse effects on the sound environment as a result of exposure to noise, acoustic calculations, further information if the proposed development involves noise-sensitive premises, and mitigation measures that will facilitate progression of the planning project.

With demonstration of consideration to the planning system and the pipeline in place that exists to limit planning applications that do not meet the provided criteria, the noise report will display acknowledgement of any corresponding development work regulations and lawful matters that could imply the development has the ability to affect health or the environment.

The developer can then pass on the report to the local planning authority as a pivotal component in the planning application.

Noise Assessment Equipment

Without accuracy in either the measurement method or the programmes used to record and process the data, the sound level of noise impact will not be reliable, and neither will the outcome of the noise survey.

To eliminate any likelihood of this occurring, acoustic consultants are required to use sophisticated sound measurement equipment, cutting-edge tools for noise monitoring, and pragmatic software for noise modelling. In certain circumstances, it may be beneficial for the noise assessment consultant to recommend leaving monitoring equipment for several days as a way of tracking spot measurements of the sound level over a set period of time.

Common tools used in noise surveys include:

Noise Survey Near Me

Acoustic Consultants

The consultants and surveyors at Arbtech come highly recommended, covering multiple different aspects of planning to ensure that nothing stands in the way of your development plans. All of our team are in possession of the training, qualifications and licensing to undertake surveys for planning with unrivalled quality, for a wide range of industry sectors, and at a fair price.

Nationwide coverage allows us to attend all major cities and all towns and villages in and around them. Our experienced acoustic consultants hold the same level of expertise and insight, giving them everything they need to evaluate the sound environment, identify major noise sources, record noise measurements within the current noise standard, reduce noise exposure, and appease your planning officer.

Our head office coordinates surveys nationally, and our teams are situated all over the country, allowing us to support clients quickly wherever they are located.

Contact Arbtech for a Free Quote

All you need to do to get the ball rolling on your noise survey is get in touch with our team by calling the phone number or filling out the quote form at the top of this page, or you can visit our dedicated contact page. Within a short period of reaching out, our team will contact you to go over the details of your planning project and site location, enabling us to formulate a free quote for you to look over.

Assuming you are happy with the no-obligation quote, confirm that you intend to move forward with us, and we can work with you to choose a suitable date for a site visit. On the day of the noise assessment, one of our team will arrive on time, conduct the checks on the noise limits and the sound environment, and from there, they can put together an acoustic report that you can use to accompany your application for planning permission.