Spectrum provide acoustic design advice on successful planning application

14 June 2017 by Nick Treby, Director

Galliard Homes wanted to develop a former car dealership site at Merrick Road in Southall for housing. The site is near some busy roads, and not far from Southall Railway Station and though not especially noisy, did need careful acoustic design as part of the planning application.

Spectrum were instructed to conduct a noise survey of the site and complete an acoustic assessment that could be submitted as part of the planning application. We were primarily interested in making sure the noise affecting future residents is controlled to acceptable levels. Government Policy on this is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (para 123 of the NPPF), Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) and Planning Practice Guidance – Noise, PPG. These guidelines are rather open-ended and so further guidance comes from BS 8233 – Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings, and Guidelines for Community Noise – World Health Organization, 1999.

We helped Galliard Homes, and Barton Wilmore (who were providing Planning, Architecture and Landscape services), steer a course through this policy. We provided guidance for the facade design and ventilation strategy to make sure that the noise environment for future residents is good.

Following careful consideration, the London Borough of Ealing unanimously resolved to approve the scheme, which will provide 170 much needed new homes.

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Image used by permission of Barton Willmore
Spectrum provide acoustic design advice on successful planning application