Planning & Permitting
WBM provide noise assessments to satisfy the requirements of a planning or permit application. Our assessments are prepared in line with relevant planning policy and regulatory guidance to support successful application outcomes.
Professional Advice, Backed Up By Experience
Noise surveys and impact assessments are often required to support planning applications and permit applications, including new permits or variations issued by the Environment Agency.
Noise must be considered where a development may be affected by the existing acoustic environment or where the proposed scheme has the potential to generate additional noise. Planning assessments are undertaken in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance – Noise (PPGN), helping to determine potential effects in relation to recognised impact thresholds, including LOAEL and SOAEL.
WBM has extensive experience supporting residential, commercial, industrial, minerals, and infrastructure projects through the planning and permitting process.
Environment Agency Permits
The Environment Agency has specific requirements for noise impact assessments and these can differ from the requirements and standards used for planning. Permitted development must avoid causing significant pollution and must employ best practical techniques for minimising emissions and impacts on the environment.
What noise standards do the EA apply?
For permit applications you will need to liaise with the Environment Agency, who will require a comprehensive noise impact assessment. The assessment should determine whether –
- The level of noise means that a significant pollution is being or is likely to be caused. This is termed by the EA as an ‘unacceptable level of audible or detectable noise’ and corresponds to a ‘significant adverse impact’ with regard to BS 4142.
- The level of noise means that noise pollution is being (or is likely to be) caused. This is termed by the EA as an ‘audible or detectable noise’ and corresponds to an ‘adverse impact’ with regard to BS 4142.
- There is ‘no noise, or barely audible or detectable noise’. This corresponds to a ‘low or no impact’ with regard to BS 4142.
WBM can advise on the level of detail required for your specific needs.
Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Appropriate Measures
The EA requires operators to demonstrate that best available techniques (BAT) or appropriate measures are being employed to prevent or minimise noise pollution.
BAT and appropriate measures will depend on the site circumstances, for example the number of receptors and risk of pollution, but might include:
- Demonstrating compliance with an approved noise management plan
- Undertaking regular noise monitoring
- Undertaking a site noise risk assessment to identify physical and operational measures to reduce noise pollution
We work on projects of all sizes, from individual buildings to large scale development.
Other specialist services
We provide tailored project proposals and deliver practical guidance and solutions.
FAQs
What are the noise limits for an Environment Agency permit?
Permits will rarely set specific noise limits but there could be a requirement to “not cause pollution” or to “avoid unacceptable noise pollution”.
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