Legal and Planning

Environmental issues were once the concern only of the developed world, but now there is worldwide desire for international standards to apply on environmental matters, and this applies as much to noise as to other impacts. For example, both the World Health Authority and the World Bank publish standards on noise criteria applicable to international projects.

Governments increasingly recognise that laws are only effective if they are enforced, and therefore environmental policies are implemented for example now through issuing IPPC/PPC permits on existing industrial sites.  For new developments, planning application often have to be supported with a technical acoustic report. This could be as part of an Environmental Statement (ES) or as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  Within the UK there is also a requirement for reports to be prepared in accordance with Planning Policy guidelines such as PPG 24 'Planning and Noise' and MPS 2 'Controlling the Environmental Effects of Mineral Extraction in England'. Many planning appeals require expert evidence on noise and vibration.

Typical projects include:

• Planning noise assessments of new Custody Centres, London, for Metropolitan Police
• Expert report for supermarket planning appeal, Andover, for Lidl Stores UK
• Over 200 PPG 24 planning noise assessments
• EIA on noise for many Npower/ National Power UK stations
• Expert noise testimony for License hearings, for nightclubs, clubs and pubs
• Environmental Noise Impact Assessments of 13 UK prisons, for Home Office