Environmental

Environmental Noise refers to noises heard in the area where we live or spend time. It is often assessed for planning issues, both residential and industrial or sometimes when neighbourhood noise becomes a nuisance either from industrial premises or from residential properties.

Planning:
Local Authority planning departments may require a PPG24 assessment for the development of new residential dwellings. PPG24 gives guidance when a development is planned near a source of traffic noise such as a road, railway or airport or near a source of industrial noise such as a factory or even a pub.

A PPG24 environmental noise assessment places the proposed site into one of four Noise Exposure Categories (NECs): A, B, C or D depending on noise levels. The NEC category offers guidance to the planners about the likelihood of planning permission being granted and whether noise controlling features need to be incorporated such as upgraded glazing or ventilation.

Download PPG24 in PDF form from http://www.planningportal.gov.uk

Noise Impact:

When assessing whether an industrial noise is a problem, Local Authority officials often use BS4142
"Method for Rating Industrial Noise affecting Mixed Residential and Industrial Areas"

This describes a methodology for judging whether noise arising from an industrial source near residential areas is likely to give rise to complaints. The Problem Noise is compared against the background noise level and takes into account whether the noise is intermittent or impulsive or has a distinctive character such as whine,
hiss or screech.

Noise Impact Assessments are also often required when applying to build a new industrail site or adding new equipment such as an air conditioning unit or fan.

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