Noise Assessors providing PPG24 and BS8233 Noise Assessments and Noise Surveys
Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG24) sets out the Government policy on development in noisy areas. The guidance is made primarily for Local Authorities who should take the content of PPG24 into account in preparing their development plans and when granting permission for development sites.
PPG24 is primarily concerned with road, rail and air traffic noise.
Noise may be material to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.
PPG24 gives guidance to local authorities in England on the use of their planning powers to consider and minimise the adverse impact of noise on developments. PPG24 builds on the advice previously contained in DOE Circular 1073.
PPG24 sets out the issues to be considered in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities which may generate noise
PPG24 uses a series of Noise Exposure Categories (NEC) to assess the suitability of noise sensitive development. These NECs are used as guidance in determining a planning application.
The current levels and sources of noise impacting on the proposed site both during the day and at night are established. This allows the site to be placed in one of the four NECs, assuming transportation noise is dominant.
Noise Exposure Category
Noise Source
A
B
C
D
Road Traffic 07.00 - 23.00 23.00 - 07.00
<55 <45
55 - 63 45 - 57
63 - 72 57 - 66
>72 >66
Rail Traffic 07.00 - 23.00 23.00 - 07.00
<55 <45
55 - 66 45 - 59
66 -74 59 - 66
>74 >66
Air Traffic 07.00 - 23.00 23.00 - 07.00
<57 <48
57 - 66 48 - 57
66 - 72 57 - 66
>72 >66
Mixed Sources 07.00 - 23.00 23.00 - 0700
<55 <45
55 - 63 45 - 57
63 - 72 57 - 66
>72 >66
If a site falls within NEC A, noise is not a determining factor in granting planning permission,
NEC D sites would not normally be permitted on noise grounds.
NEC B and C sites are often permitted, providing suitable acoustic design measures are included in the proposal.
Blue Tree Acoustics staff have undertaken hundreds of PPG24 assessments in many Local Authority areas.
We will undertake the necessary noise surveys, assess the noise levels in accordance with PPG24 and provide a report for submission to the Local Authority.
The report will recommend suitable noise mitigation measures in accordance with BS8233 'Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings - Code of Practice'
Sites which are impacted upon by Industrial noise, may require a BS4142 assessment - see INDUSTRY
Blue Tree Acoustics also provides acoustic consultancy services relating to planning applications for commercial, retail, leisure, transport and infrastructue development.
Including the assessment of both noise and vibration of all transport noise sources including
aviation, rail, road and marine development.