Walnut Acoustics conducted existing and proposed site surveys, noise monitoring and sound modelling. The noise impact assessment was carried out using BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 methodology with mitigation strategies developed to satisfy local authority environmental health noise criteria for new commercial or industrial noise sources, and to help in securing planning approval for the new site.
Project Overview
Walnut Acoustics were appointed to conduct a Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) for the relocation of an aggregates business, which involved the operation of stone crushing machines, screening equipment, excavators, and aggregates transportation HGVs.
Given the proximity to residential noise-sensitive receptors (NSRs), the assessment needed to identify the potential for adverse noise impacts on residents and develop mitigation strategies to satisfy local authority environmental health noise criteria.
Challenges & Requirements
- Noise Impact Assessment – Evaluate operational noise from stone crushing, screening and other related processing plant – HGV movements and maintenance workshops.
- Compliance with local authority environmental health noise criteria – Ensure noise emissions met the acceptable criteria for new commercial and industrial noise sources.
- Background Noise Monitoring – Establish existing background noise levels to provide a reference for assessing the potential noise impacts at the proposed new site.
- SoundPLAN Noise Modelling – predicting plant and site noise levels at the nearest residential NSRs – modelling plant noise sources, buildings and mitigation solutions (including acoustic fences and earth bunds).
Our Approach
1. On-Site Noise Survey & Background Data Collection
We conducted a detailed environmental noise survey at the existing site and the proposed relocation site to:
- Measure operational noise from existing aggregates processing plant, HGV movements and maintenance workshops.
- Establish baseline background noise levels at the nearest residential properties at the proposed new site.
2. Noise Modelling & Impact Assessment
- Using SoundPLAN, we developed a noise model of the proposed new site to calculate predicted noise levels from the processing plant, HGV movements and maintenance workshops.
- We then assessed how the predicted noise levels would impact upon the nearest residential NSRs under different operational scenarios and considered mitigation measures where adverse impacts were expected.
3. Mitigation Strategy Development
To ensure compliance with local environmental health criteria, we recommended noise control and mitigation measures, including:
- Earth Bunds and Acoustic Barriers – Designed for effective shielding for residential properties from site operational noise.
- Optimised Site Layout – Positioning of plant away from noise-sensitive areas or within buildings. Orientation of maintenance workshops for minimum impacts.
- Noise management plan – commitment to minimising noise impacts on nearby residents, updating machinery to lower noise equipment and using noise attenuation products, plant maintenance and operational mitigation measures.
4. Planning Submission & Local Authority Engagement
Our Noise Impact Assessment (NIA) provided:
- A clear and detailed noise impact assessment of the proposed new site layout, potential noise impacts and suitable mitigation measures.
- Detailed responses to planning authority and environmental health queries, ensuring all concerns were addressed and further information, modelling and assessment revisions were provided on time.
- Provided further reports for planning approval conditions including a noise management plan for the new site.
Results & Project Impact
- Planning Permission Secured – The relocation was approved with an effective noise mitigation strategy and noise management plan.
- Minimal Disruption for Nearby Residents – noise mitigation solutions ensured compliance with local authority criteria.
- Smooth Approval Process – The comprehensive noise assessment report, revisions and final management plan addressed all local authority concerns.
- Long-Term Compliance – Future-proofed noise mitigation strategies were embedded in the noise management plan.
Need a Noise Impact Assessment for an Industrial or Commercial Project?
Get in touch to discuss your specific requirements.
