Noise Assessments & Surveys
Noise Impact Assessments
Planning
Architects & Developers
Businesses & Private Clients

Your Trusted
Noise and Acoustic Consultants

Let’s hear about your project

Walnut Acoustics provide specialist noise consultancy services for planning applications.

At Walnut Acoustics, we understand the challenges of navigating noise compliance during the planning stages of residential and commercial development projects.

Our experienced consultants produce thorough reports that are easy to understand while providing the necessary technical information.

From noise assessments, noise impact assessments and surveys for initial planning to noise mitigation and insulation schemes to satisfy planning conditions, we analyse what you need, provide helpful advice, detailed fee proposals and fast turnarounds from site work to issuing reports.

We cover local authority requirements for the most common noise guidance and standards – BS 4142,  BS 8233:2014 and WHO, ProPG – but are experienced in a wide range of others.

Go to Case Studies

Our Noise Consultancy Services

S1

Noise Assessment & Surveys
  • Planning applications for all types of residential & commercial developments
  • New build and refurbishment projects
  • Noise insulation and mitigation schemes
  • Construction partition performance analysis with INSUL software
  • Noise modelling with SoundPLAN software
S2

Noise Impact Assessments
  • Planning applications for all types of industrial, commercial, educational & energy developments
  • Re-locations and new sites – auto-repair centres, transportation and aggregates businesses
  • Impact assessment for proposed new plant – ventilation and extraction systems
  • Solar farms and battery storage facilities (BESS)
  • Kennels, Multi use games areas (MUGAs), car dealerships and supermarkets

Who We Work With

Walnut Acoustics provide noise and acoustic consultancy services to a wide range of customers.

From planning consultants and architects through to developers, commercial businesses and private clients, we bring the same level of professionalism to each project.

We are always keen to discuss your project no matter how small or large, providing free advice and a detailed fee proposal for the solution that we think will work best.

Book a Free Consultation
W1

Planning Consultants

We support planning consultants with professional advice and noise assessments tailored to meet the individual needs of each planning application.

We aim to continue a high level of service throughout the planning process from initial applications to approval conditions.

We also provide advice and propose solutions where planning applications have been refused, or have moved on to an appeal process.

W2

Architects & Developers

We work closely with architects and developers on planning applications, providing advice on the latest noise guidance and how to create designs that will meet the noise criteria required to advance the project through the planning process.

We provide advice on mitigation from glazing, ventilation and construction specifications to meet internal criteria, to external solutions including overall site layouts and acoustic barriers.

W3

Commercial Businesses & Private Clients

In addition to our planning noise work we provide consultancy direct to commercial businesses and private clients on an array of projects from recording studio designs for educational facilities and noise at work assessments for electric motor manufacturers, to assessing ventilation systems for large scale paint shops in the aviation industry.

We always strive to provide a way of solving the noise and acoustic problems that we are presented with, creating methods to assess each situation and providing efficient solutions to meet the end client’s requirements.

Case Studies

C1

Solar Farm and Battery Storage (BESS) Development

Consultancy services provided:

  • Site survey, background noise measurements – establish location of the nearest residential noise sensitive receptors (NSRs). SoundPLAN modelling of sources and noise levels at NSRs.
  • Initial feedback to inform layout designs and locations of various plant types including – string inverters, transformers, DNO Substations, battery storage units, and power conditioners.
  • Review site layout, plant specifications and noise mitigation options with client designers to achieve optimum assessment levels before the submission of the noise impact assessment for the planning application.
  • Review and respond to environmental health office and local authority comments, with revisions of noise impact assessment and provision of additional information where necessary.
C2

New Housing Development

Consultancy services provided:

  • Site survey, ambient noise measurements – road noise from motorway
  • SoundPLAN modelling of road noise levels at proposed new dwellings
  • Work with architects and planning consultants to consider proposed layouts and good acoustic design to meet BS 8233:2014 and WHO criteria for indoor and external amenity area noise levels.
  • Produce detailed noise assessment report for planning application.
  • Review and respond to environmental health office and local authority comments, noise assessment revisions and provision of noise mitigation schemes.
C3

Residential Development – Conversion of Office Block to Apartments

Consultancy services provided:

  • Site survey, ambient noise measurements – road, public house and music venue noise sources.
  • Produce detailed noise assessment report for planning application.
  • Work with architects, mechanical consultants and energy assessors to produce a noise mitigation scheme in response to planning approval conditions.
  • Glazing, construction and mechanical systems designs.
  • SoundPLAN (Building Outside module) used to model predicted indoor ambient noise levels for noise mitigation scheme.
C4

New Auto-Repair Centre – Conversion of Existing Commercial Building

Consultancy services provided:

  • Site survey, background noise measurements – establish location of the nearest residential noise sensitive receptors (NSRs).
  • Measure noise levels at existing site to use in SoundPLAN modelling of new site. Sources modelled included the internal noise from the repair centre, car park and car wash area, external ventilation plant for the building, paint booths,
  • Produce noise impact assessment of proposed new auto-repair centre using BS 4142 methodology and local council planning guidance.
  • Address planning conditions and produce noise impact assessment for mechanical plant based on final M&E designs for the construction tender phase.
C5

Re-Location of an Aggregates Business

Consultancy services provided:

  • Site survey, background noise measurements – establish location of the nearest residential noise sensitive receptors (NSRs).
  • Measure noise levels at existing site to use in SoundPLAN modelling of new site. Sources modelled included stone crushing machines, screening machines, excavators and transportation HGVs.
  • Work with architect on building construction make-ups and acoustic fence and earth bund fence mitigation designs to reduce plant noise levels at NSRs.
  • Produce noise impact assessment using BS 4142 methodology and proposing mitigation strategies to meet local EHO noise criteria.
  • Review and respond to environmental health office and local authority comments, with revisions of noise impact assessments and re-modelling where required.

Why Walnut Acoustics?

We provide clear, concise noise and noise impact assessments that simplify noise concerns in the planning process and save you time.
Proven Success
Fast Turnarounds
Trusted by Leading Organisations

With over 20 years of experience, Walnut Acoustics delivers precise, actionable noise assessments tailored to meet planning and compliance needs. Trusted by our clients, we streamline complex processes in a timely manner to achieve successful planning approvals.

Learn More About Us

What Our Clients Say

Words that reflect our impact.
T1
“When it comes to acoustics and noise, Walnut Acoustics are true experts in their field.

Nick is extremely engaging and professional, he delivers nothing but high-quality advice. My experience with Nick and the team involved the preparation of a noise impact assessment which greatly helped to resolve a long-standing issue we were dealing with. Truly worth every penny.”

— James W., Architect
.
T2
“We had an fantastic experience working with Nick.

His service was nothing short of outstanding, and he guided and advised us every step of the way. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommended his services and would happily use Walnut Acoustics for our next project – Fantastic.”

— David L., Developer
.
T3
“The service was excellent. Nick was most helpful from the start and he was always available to answer my questions.

We are extremely grateful for all the advice and assistance that was provided. I would recommend Walnut Acoustics without any hesitation. Nick, the acoustic consultant, was very professional and provided an excellent level of customer service.”

— Mark R., Project Manager
.
T4
“I’ve used Walnut Acoustics on several of my conversion projects all over the West Midlands and I have to say that their service is the best in the industry.

A quick response, knowledgeable and reliable consultants, comprehensive and understandable reports. I wish all my partners had the same level of professionalism and service delivery. Well done, Walnut Acoustics.”

— Claire J., Planning Consultant
.

Our Technical Expertise

Our consultants are proud members and associates of the Institute of Acoustics, bringing extensive expertise in noise and acoustics to the planning process.

We cover all the key noise standards, including BS 8233:2014 and  BS 4142:2014+A1:2019, while also working with a wide range of other guidance and methodologies.

We use industry-leading software tools, including SoundPLAN, INSUL and high quality sound measuring equipment from Cirrus Research and Svantek to acquire robust noise data for our noise assessments.

SoundPLAN GmbH
INSUL
Cirrus Research plc
Svantek

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? We’re here to listen.

Contact Us

Q1

We provide expert noise consultancy services for planning, including noise impact assessments, noise assessment and surveys for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

Q2

Yes, we work with a wide range of clients, including developers, architects, commercial businesses and private clients, to address noise and acoustic challenges in both residential and commercial settings.

Q3

A noise impact assessment evaluates the potential for noise effects of new noise sources on the nearest noise sensitive receptors (NSRs) – usually residential. It is provided for planning applications to ensure compliance with national and local authority noise guidance and to mitigate adverse noise impacts on nearby residents.

Q4

Absolutely. We prepare detailed responses to local authority requirements, helping you to meet and discharge noise planning conditions and progress the application to completion.

Q5

The duration depends on the complexity of the project. Relatively simple assessments can be completed within two weeks, while larger or more complex projects may take longer. We aim to complete most planning noise assessments in 2 to 4 weeks.

Q6

Yes, we specialise in customised approaches, ensuring that every project receives tailored solutions that meet specific needs and are in line with the relevant guidance.

Q7

We use advanced tools like SoundPLAN and INSUL to create detailed noise models and provide accurate assessments. This ensures reliable results tailored to your project’s requirements.

Q8

Absolutely. We believe in early collaboration to ensure that noise and acoustic considerations are integrated seamlessly into both the design and planning process.

Q9

While we primarily serve Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties, we are happy to discuss projects in other regions. Please contact us to learn more.