Noise in the Planning Process

Residential Led Mixed-Use Development – South Quay Plaza

Client: Berkeley Homes (South East London) Ltd
Planning Consultants: GVA
Mechanical Engineers: Gillespies
Architect: Fosters and Partners

Cass Allen Associates was instructed by Berkeley Homes to undertake a formal Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the redevelopment and revitalisation of South Quay Plaza in Docklands.

Two commercial structures were replaced with residential towers of 46 and 73 storeys with ground floors housing cafes, restaurants, bars and other leisure uses. The site was acoustically complex due to noise generated by the DLR running immediately to the south of the site.

Cass Allen’s role was to prepare the Noise and Vibration chapter of the EIA, covering: internal noise levels inside the finished development and noise due to construction, traffic and plant. We then moved on to detailed acoustic design for the construction phase.

Ocean Village – Southampton

Client: Bouygues UK
Architects: HGP Architects

Cass Allen has been instructed by Bouygues UK to provide acoustic design advice for this flag ship development at Southampton’s Ocean Village Marina.

The development adds a new residential-led building and new hotel building adjacent to Bouygues UK’s Admiral’s Quay development at the marina.

The work we are undertaking is primarily to assist with the discharge of noise-related planning conditions. However, we are also providing advice to help Bouygues UK deliver high quality acoustic environments for the future building users.

As part of the work, a detailed 3D computer noise model of the development has been utilised.

Residential Development – Limeharbour, London

Client: Telford Homes Plc
Architects: TP Bennett LLP

Telford Homes instructed Cass Allen to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment for a 28-storey residential building in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The main acoustic consideration was the noise impact from the Docklands Light Railway running next to the building.

Using 3D environmental noise modelling software, Cass Allen has advised on the appropriate acoustic design measures to achieve planning permission for Telford Homes and acceptable noise levels for future residents.

Large-Scale Store Expansion

Client: Wing Yip
Architects: David Futter Associates

Cass Allen carried out a noise impact assessment for this proposed large store expansion for Wing Yip, supplier of Oriental ingredients. Key matters to be assessed were noise from fixed mechanical plant and noise from car park and deliveries areas.

A 3D noise model of the development was prepared to calculate noise emissions from the site with and without the expansion. The modelling showed that noise levels at surrounding receptors would actually reduce due to the intelligent design of the expansion. This project showcased the benefits that 3D noise modelling can bring to projects and planning applications.

Manufacturing Facility and Headquarters – Milton Keynes

Client: Niftylifts
Architects: q2 Architects
Project Managers: Goring Berry
Planning Consultants: Bidwells

To assist with achieving planning permission for Niftylift’s proposed new UK manufacturing and office headquarters. The council were concerned that noise from deliveries, the manufacturing processes and associated wind turbine might disturb existing residents close to the site and future residents of a planned retirement village.

We carried out a series of surveys at the proposed site and at Niftylift’s existing manufacturing plants and were able to demonstrate to the Council’s satisfaction that noise emissions could be adequately controlled via planning conditions.