Acoustic Consultants

Noise Assessments

Noise emissions from some new developments have the potential to cause a nuisance to people living nearby. If a Local Authority is concerned about a new development, they will usually request that a noise assessment – sometimes called a noise impact assessment – is carried out.

ACA Acoustics are experienced in undertaking all manner of noise assessments, having successfully completed projects all over the UK and further afield.

 

What is involved in undertaking a noise impact assessment?

In general terms, the aim of a noise assessment is to predict whether a proposed development will result in adverse impacts on people living or working in the surrounding area.

Most assessments start with ACA Acoustics’ qualified acoustic consultants visiting your site to measure existing background noise levels.  We then use computer modelling software to predict noise emissions from your development and compare these to the existing background sound level.  The exact assessment method varies depending on the source of the noise.  ACA Acoustics’ assessments follow all appropriate national and local planning policies, British and International standards, and other relevant guidance documents.

If vibration is a potential problem, baseline vibration surveys can also be conducted and vibration transmission calculated.

Discussing your project with one of our acoustic experts an at early stage will allow us to advise you on what is required to undertake the noise impact assessment for your development.  Completing the noise assessment early in the design process means that any potential problems are identified and appropriate mitigation measures can be easily incorporated.

Please call us on your local office telephone number above or fill in the contact form and we will be in touch to discuss your project.

 

What happens if the noise assessment shows my development will cause a nuisance?

The noise impact assessment will determine how much noise will be emitted from your development and – crucially – if this will result in adverse impacts to people living nearby.

Just because a development will create a noise is not necessarily a problem, even if nearby residents can hear the noise.  There are established assessment methods for different noise sources which acoustic consultants use to determine the likelihood of anybody nearby being adversely impacted.

However, it is unfortunately the case that for some developments the proximity of residential dwellings means that there is the potential to cause adverse noise impacts.  In these situations an experienced acoustic consultant becomes invaluable in developing the most appropriate and cost-effective acoustic solutions and noise mitigation measures.

 

Which types of development will require a noise assessment?

The Local Authority may request a noise impact assessment for any development which as the potential to create noise.  Some of the most common developments which will normally require a noise assessment include:

 

What planning documents and Standards are used in a noise impact assessment?

Our noise impact assessments will follow all relevant planning guidance and Standards.  Within England, assessments would be expected to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE), and National Planning Practice Guidance – Noise (PPG-N).  Development in Scotland and Wales would be expected to comply with their equivalent policy requirements.  Local Authorities will also have their own unique Local Plan or development framework policies.

Specific criteria and assessment methods for different types of noise source are contained in British Standards and other guidance documents, such as:

  • BS 4142:2014 + A1:2019 Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound.
  • BS8233:2014 Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings.
  • BS 6472-1:2008 Guide to evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings.
  • BB93 Acoustic design of schools.
  • LA111 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges – Noise and vibration.
  • ProPG Planning & Noise.
  • World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Community Noise.
  • Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) Guidelines for Environmental Noise Impact Assessment.
  • Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Good Practice Guide on the Control of Noise from Pubs and Clubs.

 

Why choose ACA Acoustics for your noise assessment?

We have experience of undertaking noise impact assessments for all manner of developments, from night clubs to nurseries, MUGA sports pitches to dog kennels, and everything else in between.  Our expert knowledge means we know how the noise assessment should be conducted and if required, can use that experience to design the most appropriate noise and vibration control strategy.

Please get in touch with us using the contact form on this page and one of our experienced consultants will contact you shortly. Alternatively, please feel free to call us directly on your local office telephone number or email our head office at info@aca-acoustics.co.uk

 

Get In Touch

Services

Noise Assessments Noise Assessments
Construction Noise & Vibration Monitoring Construction Noise & Vibration Monitoring
Building Regulations: Sound Insulation Testing From ACA Acoustics Building Regulations: Sound Insulation Testing From ACA Acoustics
Acoustic Design Acoustic Design
Planning Planning
Building Services Building Services
Noise Surveys Noise Surveys
BREEAM Assessment BREEAM Assessment
Vibration Surveys & Designs Vibration Surveys & Designs
Noise Mapping Noise Mapping
Sound Insulation Testing Sound Insulation Testing

Testimonials

"I want to share with you my appreciation for the honesty and sincerity you have shown throughout our work together.

It’s getting rarer these days that clients’ interests are put ahead of pressure to generate fees.

I would definitely recommend you to others."

Philip Catterall

"I have had the pleasure of using ACA Acoustics’ services on a high-end residential project in Vauxhall, London.

The commitment and proactiveness received from Rob Cant and his team was greatly appreciated on an extremely challenging and short time-framed project. This resulted in ACA Acoustics providing acoustic consultancy services on the current 51-storey commercial fit out project in Central London.

I would not hesitate with recommending their services as they are my preferred company for acoustic consultancy."

Joe Wu – T Clarke PLC

"I have been using ACA Acoustics during my employment at different companies since Rob set the business up in 2012. Rob and his team offer an excellent service and very competitive costs for carrying out acoustic sound surveys and reports. In the fast pace nature of the hospitality client field their fast turnaround is greatly valued and helps me to build a robust offering to my clients."

Craig Ballantyne – Spiritus Technical Services Limited

"We used Rob from ACA Acoustics and would highly recommend their services. The work was carried out to an extremely high standard, these guys obviously know their business.

There was some opposition to our project and those opposing employed an independent acoustic agent to try and discredit the report Rob had produced. However, the other report was thrown out and deemed totally inadequate and the Local Authority praised the report submitted by ACA Acoustics.

As I say, these guys know their stuff and are extremely competent and most professional."

Sanchia Ascroft – The Thatch Barn, Yelling

"ACA Acoustics’ practical understanding of the HVAC industry and professional yet common sense approach to finding the right solution for each project is the reason why I’d always choose to use them on my projects and recommend them to my clients."

Ed Fellerman – Chapman Ventilation Limited

"I’ve worked with Rob and ACA for a number of years on numerous projects, and their proactive approach and negotiation skills have helped my clients and I overcome various difficult challenging noise issues to secure tricky planning consents.

As a planning consultancy we have worked with various noise consultants and I have found ACA to be the most pragmatic and adept, going beyond simply undertaking noise calculations to help find solutions and fight our corner when needed."

Mark Shearman – Firstplan

"I use ACA Acoustics to assist with all our projects which require an acoustic assessment. They also provide the acoustic design for separating walls and floors to comply with The Building Regulations Approved Document E.

Their straightforward and practical advice complements the service I can offer to my clients and I highly recommend their service."

Ian Hubbarde – Link Architecture