Aerohub Business Park Newquay Cornwall Airport 10 NOISE & VIBRATION 10.1 Introduction 10.1.1 This Chapter explains the noise and vibration impacts associated with the construction and operation of the proposed Aerohub Business Park, adjacent to the operational NQY. 10.1.2 The existing noise environment and predicted levels for the proposed operation of the development will be considered to assess the likely impact upon sensitive receptors, and the suitability of the proposed site for use as business units. 10.1.3 A noise assessment report, detailing the methodology, monitoring conducted, assessment of data and the relevant results and calibration records is within Appendix 10.1. This chapter reviews the data to assess the impacts where deemed significant and possible remediation measures where appropriate, in conjunction with noise modelling for the proposed development. 10.2 Methodology 10.2.1 The assessment will be undertaken through a combination of desktop studies, a field assessment of the existing ambient noise climate and a prediction of the likely noise from construction and operation of the proposed Business Park. This will include: A desk study will identify likely sources of existing noise in the environment. A field assessment will quantify the existing acoustic environment on and around the proposed development site through a combination of short term sampling and 24-hour continuous measurements. This will take into account likely sources identified from the desk study. Predictions of the change in noise across the site will be made using the traffic flows for the opening year and a future year from the data in the Transport Assessment. Suitable noise limits for the new industrial units will be assessed, taking into account the existing noise climate. 10.2.2 Likely future impacts from the proposed development will be predicted from the data gathered and predicted changes to the acoustic environment from the development. Legislation and Policy 10.2.3 The acoustic assessment for the proposed development considered the following legislation, policy and good practice. National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG, 2012). Noise Policy Statement for England (DEFRA, 2010) BS 4142:1997 ‘Method of rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas’ (BS,1997) BS 7445: Part 1: 2003. Description and measurement of environmental noise – Guide to Quantities and Procedures (BS, 2003) Environmental Statement Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff December 2012 - 204 - for Cornwall Development Company Aerohub Business Park Newquay Cornwall Airport BS 7445: 1991 ‘Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise’ Parts 2 to 3, BSI (BS, 1991) Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) 11.7.3 HD 213/11 - Traffic Noise and Vibration, (DoT, November 2011); BS 5228-1&2: 2009. Code of Practice for Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites (BS, 2009) Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN). HMSO London, DoT and Welsh Office 1988; BS 6472-1:2008 ‘Guide to the evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings. Vibration sources other than blasting’ (BS, 2008) BS 8233: 1999 ‘Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings – Code of Practice’ (BS, 1999) NPPF 10.2.4 The NPPF (March 2012) states that the ‘planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of noise pollution’. 10.2.5 The NPPF states that planning policies and decisions should aim to: Avoid noise from giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life as a result of new development; Mitigate and reduce to a minimum other adverse impacts on health and quality of life arising from noise from new development, including through the use of conditions; Recognise that development will often create some noise and existing businesses wanting to develop in continuance of their business should not have unreasonable restrictions put on them because of changes in nearby land uses since they were established; and Identify and protect areas of tranquillity which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason. 10.2.6 In order to deliver sustainable development, NPPF states ‘to help economic growth, local planning authorities should plan proactively to meet the development needs of business and support an economy fit for the 21st century.’ Noise Policy Statement for England 10.2.7 This document sets out the framework and principles for noise assessment. It states that the main aims of noise policy are to minimise noise impacts and improve existing noise climates if possible. BS4142 - Industrial Noise Affecting Residential Dwellings 10.2.8 British Standard BS4142 can be used for assessing the impact of noise from industrial sources. The standard provides guidance as to the likely community response to new fixed noise sources affecting residential receptors. The rating method detailed within this standard is widely accepted by local authorities as a means of assessing building plant noise. BS4142 requires separate analysis for day Environmental Statement Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff December 2012 - 205 - for Cornwall Development Company Aerohub Business Park Newquay Cornwall Airport and night time periods. The Standard compares the ‘rating level’ of the new noise with the existing ‘background level’. The greater this difference the greater the likelihood of complaints. The significance of the new noise based on this difference is given in Table 10.1. Table 10.1: BS4142 Rating Levels and Significance Difference between Rating Level and BS4142 Rating Background Level -10 dB(A) or Less Positive indication that complaints are unlikely +5 dB(A) Marginal significance +10 dB(A) or more Indicates complaints are likely Noise Measurements 10.2.9 British Standard 7445 sets out the method for collecting ambient noise data in order to categorise the spread of noise across a site. Daytime and night time short-term measurements to assess general environmental noise will be conducted to indicate existing environmental noise in and around the site. 24-hour monitoring will be conducted to assess the variation in noise throughout the day, evening and night time periods. Short-term noise measurements in accordance with CRTN will be used to quantify the current road traffic noise impacting the site. Road Traffic Noise 10.2.10 Assessment of road traffic noise is undertaken using the guidance in the ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) 11.7.3 HD 213/11 - Traffic Noise and Vibration, (DoT), November 2011’. Calculations and measurements of road traffic noise are undertaken in accordance with ‘Calculation of Road Traffic Noise’ (CRTN), HMSO London, DoT and Welsh Office, 1988. Road Traffic Noise Significance 10.2.11 Most people are able to distinguish a change of 1 decibel (dB(A)) in a pure continuous tone, but changes in a fluctuating sound, such as traffic noise, are not so easily perceived. A change of about 3 dB(A) represents the threshold when, in the long- term, changes in traffic noise levels (as distinct from steady sounds) would be perceived. A difference of 10 dB(A) corresponds to a 10-fold increase in sound energy which corresponds to an approximate subjective doubling in loudness. Doubling the energy level (for example the volume of traffic) increases the noise level by 3 dB(A). 10.2.12 The threshold criteria used for traffic noise assessment during the day is a permanent change in magnitude of 3 dB LA10,18h change in the long-term (in this instance, 16 years after the development). 10.2.13 The overall magnitude operational impacts have been reported using the classifications in Table 10.2. Environmental Statement Prepared by Parsons Brinckerhoff December 2012 - 206 - for Cornwall Development Company Aerohub Business Park Newquay Cornwall Airport Table 10.2: Classification of Magnitude of Operational Noise Impacts in the Long Term Noise Change, LA10,18h Magnitude of Impact 0 No Change 0.1 - 2.9 Negligible 3 - 4.9 Minor 5 – 9.9 Moderate 10+ Major Construction Noise 10.2.14 Construction activity inevitably leads to some degree of noise disturbance at locations in close proximity to the construction activities. However, construction activities are a temporary source of noise. 10.2.15 Construction noise predictions will be made based on the methodology outlined in BS5228-1: 2009 ‘Noise and vibration control on construction and open sites’. Construction noise levels are predicted as a ‘free field’ equivalent continuous noise level averaged over a one-hour period (LAeq,1h), and then subsequently averaged over a 12-hour working day to give the LAeq,12h. 10.2.16 In the absence of specific information regarding the proposed construction plant and activities, potential construction noise effects were assessed using the methodology set out in BS5228-1: 2009 in conjunction with general information regarding the proposed activities. 10.2.17 The significance of constructional noise effects has been assessed based on the Category ‘A’ daytime threshold of 65 dB(A) for the Noise Receptors (NRs) as required in BS5228-1: 2009. The significance of construction noise will relate to the degree of exceedance of the values presented in Table 10.3. Exceedance will be rated as not significant (<1 dB), minor (1<3 dB), medium (3<5 dB), high (5<10 dB) and very high (>10 dB). Table 10.3: Assessment Category and Threshold Value Assessment Category (dB LAeq) Evaluation Period A B C Night-time (23:00-07:00) 45 50 55 Evening and Weekends* 55 60 65 Daytime (07:00-19:00) 65 70 75 * 19:00-23:00 weekdays, 13:00-23:00 Saturdays and 07:00-23:00 Sundays. Category A: threshold values to use when ambient noise levels (when rounded to the nearest 5dB) are less than these values.