Acoustic Testing & Consultancy Services

 

(Planning Policy Guidance 24)

We have considerable experience and skill in dealing with PPG24 Noise Assessments and PPG24 Noise surveys for the planning applications for both small and large developments. More often than not its in relation to new build apartments, houses, or hotels, if you are unsure how to achieve compliance for your planning application phone APT now, or e-mail us at info@airpressuretesting.net for a quick proactive response.

Noise assessments are often required at the Planning stage of developments that may generate noise, and noise-sensitive developments which may be affected by noise. Some developments, such as mixed use, fall into both categories.

Acoustic Testing & Sound Testing
Potentially noise generating developments often require a Noise Impact Assessment to be undertaken. This normally requires existing ambient noise levels to be established, typically by undertaking measurements, and the impact of noise from the development to be established. For large developments, it is often necessary to consider secondary effects, such as the impact of increased traffic on existing roads.

We undertake detailed noise modeling in order to calculate anticipated noise levels from the development. The noise model can also be used to assess the efficacy of various noise control options.

Noise can also be a Planning issue when noise-sensitive development is proposed in areas that are subject to high noise levels, or are likely to be subject to high noise levels in the future. Current UK government guidance encourages the re-use of brownfield sites and these are often subject to higher noise levels than greenfield sites.

In the UK, Planning and Noise is currently guided by PPG 24, which defines four Noise Exposure Categories (NECs), based on the level of noise at the development. The NEC in which the site falls determines to what extent noise should be considered in the granting of planning permission.

The NEC(s) for a development are usually determined by monitoring noise levels. Potential mitigation options can then be assessed by calculation, and/or the use of noise modeling. Appropriate noise mitigation can then be incorporated into the development at the design stage.

Internal noise levels within the proposed buildings can be calculated using our latest noise prediction software. For most buildings, the overall sound insulation performance of the building envelope will depend on the glazing system employed. It may be necessary to stipulate specific glazing and ventilation systems that must be employed to ensure that internal noise criteria are achieved. Most new residential development, once constructed, must have Sound Insulation testing undertaken in accordance with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.

 

 

Acoustic Testing & Sound Testing

The area of planning and noise is awash with often contradictory guidance, standards, codes of practice, and it is unusual that any one of these documents precisely covers all aspects of a case. PPG24 requires a noise survey to be conducted at the planning stage to assess the overall suitability of the site's noise climate for residential development. With it comes the possibility of noise control measures being necessary as part of the planning conditions.

Very often there are strong conflicts of opinion between interested parties. We pride ourselves on being able to deal with the issues in a direct and simple manner. Problems relating to noise during the planning stages can usually be avoided or resolved with a good, detailed and accurate acoustic assessment report. As standard all our reports include highly sophisticated noise mapping to accurately detail the spread of noise in the surrounding area for any particular situation. Using the latest acoustic modelling software we can create the situation and then visually model the results of many various mitigation measures.

We undertake accurate on-site noise assessments to suit the needs of a client’s problem and their pocket, and deliver concise and clear reports in a timescale which is again designed to suit the client.

Acoustic Testing - Further Information
For further information on Acoustic Testing please visit the 'why acoustic testing page'.

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