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The Cost of Unforeseen Noise Impacts

There is a lot at stake if you don’t have an adequate Noise Assessment that has identified all the noise impacts.
Our comprehensive Noise Assessment and Acoustic Design services will give you clarity about your site's noise constraints and its prospects. They are a small price to pay compared to the risks of not identifying any environmental noise problems upfront and help you make even better decisions.
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Noise Consultants Committed to Getting Your Site Approved and Built

Your specialist Noise Consultant is part of a dedicated team of Chartered professionals helping clients in Kent, London and the Southeast.
Whether you need a noise survey, a noise assessment for Planning to meet BS8233 or BS4142 standards, or if your project requires BREEAM Pol05/Hea05 acoustic credits, our Noise Consultants are here to help. Our acoustics team undertake robust noise surveys and prepare actionable noise assessments that have been successfully gaining regulatory approval for Planning Consultants, Architects, Contractors and other clients all over the UK, ensuring that their sites are safe and compliant places to live and work.
Our Noise Assessments are expertly prepared by experienced noise consultants who are committed to providing you with technically robust acoustic reports that are tailored to meet your plans for the site.
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  • Tick Icon Technically robust report, written to highest Standards
  • Tick Icon 98% sign off success rate, very satisfied regulators
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Meet Your Acoustic Consultant

Noise Surveys and Assessments

Our Noise Consultants can review your site and guide you through the complex process of undertaking a Noise Assessment and subsequent Acoustic Design, so you can get your site approved and built.

They are ready to answer your questions, so we can get started.

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Get Your Noise Assessment Report

1

Prepare Proposal

Answer a few questions, so together we can come up with a plan that fits your timescales and budget.

2

Noise Assessment

We work through the complex noise assessment process of noise surveys, noise modelling, calculations and evaluation of acoustic conditions.

3

Receive Report

Receive your noise report written with a regulator in mind to gain approval, so you can take action to ensure a safe and compliant site.

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Could You Require a Noise Assessment for Planning?

Of all pollution issues, noise causes the largest number of complaints to local authorities.
This is why Local Authorities frequently require noise assessments for new developments. Whether your site could be at risk of being affected by existing noise sources, or if it can result in noise pollution, Local Authorities may request for a noise survey or noise impact assessment to be undertaken as part of the Planning process.
Noise assessments for Planning often involve noise surveys, BS8233 noise assessments for determining site suitability and glazing sound insulation requirements if the site is in a noisy area, or BS4142 noise assessments if plant noise could be the cause of nuisance to neighbours.
For larger developments, especially those which require an environmental impact assessment, construction and traffic noise impacts are often also significant factors. Where this is the case, a BS5228 assessment for construction noise and vibration, and/or a traffic noise assessment in line with CRTN/DMRB LA 111 could also be required.
Your site may also be subject to acoustic criteria set out in Part E of the Building Regulations, BB93, HTM08 or subject to BREEAM Hea05 and/or Pol05. Engaging with an acoustic consultant and undertaking a noise survey and noise assessment at an early stage can significantly reduce the risk, cost and effort to comply with acoustic design criteria or attain the relevant BREEAM credits.
Get in touch with one of our acoustic consultants for a free and friendly chat at 01634 757 705 or drop us a line at info@lustreconsulting.com.
Lustre Consulting

Why Do I Need a Noise Assessment?

A Noise Assessment (or Noise Impact Assessment) is often required by local planning authorities to support a planning application, discharge conditions, remove objections or meet obligations under environmental permits. The purpose is to identify potential noise impacts, assess the risks to human health or amenity, and, where necessary, set out appropriate mitigation.

Noise is one of the most common sources of complaint in the UK, and early assessment reduces the risk of delays, redesign or refusal at planning stage. Where potential issues are identified, the assessment considers the feasibility of noise mitigation and provides recommendations appropriate to the project stage.

Planning Policy Context

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires planning policies and decisions to:

  • Avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life as a result of new development

  • Mitigate and reduce other adverse impacts through appropriate controls or conditions

  • Recognise that some noise is inevitable in development, while protecting existing businesses from unreasonable restrictions due to changes in nearby land use

  • Identify and protect areas of tranquillity valued for recreation and amenity

When is a Noise Assessment Required?

You should consider a Noise Assessment if:

  • Your proposal introduces or modifies a noise source (e.g. plant, machinery, event venue, commercial operation) that could affect nearby sensitive uses such as housing, schools or healthcare facilities

  • Your site is located adjacent to existing sources of noise such as busy roads, railways, industrial areas or entertainment venues

  • You are developing in an area where noise could affect outdoor amenity or where tranquillity is a valued asset

By undertaking the assessment early, you gain clarity on potential risks and mitigation options, providing confidence to both the applicant and the planning authority that noise impacts are fully understood and managed.

How We Carry Out Noise Assessments

At Lustre Consulting, we undertake Noise Assessments and Acoustic Surveys to provide a robust understanding of existing noise levels and the potential impacts of your development. Our assessments are designed to meet local planning authority requirements, British Standards, and environmental regulations, while giving you clear and practical recommendations.

Our Process

  1. Scoping and planning – we define the objectives of the assessment, review planning requirements and identify sensitive receptors such as residential properties, schools, or healthcare facilities.

  2. Baseline monitoring – on-site noise surveys are carried out using calibrated equipment to establish existing background sound levels under representative conditions.

  3. Impact assessment – we predict and assess the effect of proposed noise sources, or the impact of existing noise on new sensitive uses, using recognised standards and methodologies, including:

    • BS4142 for rating industrial and commercial noise

    • BS8233 and Approved Document E for building design and internal sound insulation

    • BS5228 for construction noise and vibration (including Section 61 prior consent)

    • CRTN / DMRB LA 111 for road traffic noise assessments

    • BREEAM requirements for Hea 05 and Pol 05 credits

  4. Mitigation design – where required, we develop practical noise control solutions such as barriers, enhanced glazing, plant enclosures, façade treatments, or operational controls.

  5. Interpretation and reporting – findings are presented in a clear, regulator-ready report that includes measured data, predicted impacts, compliance with policy and standards, and detailed mitigation advice.

Deliverables and Outcomes

Our noise assessments are prepared to support:

  • Planning applications and discharge of conditions

  • Construction noise management and Section 61 applications

  • Acoustic design of new buildings

  • Environmental permit applications and BREEAM assessments

By following this structured approach, we provide you with reliable evidence, clear recommendations and regulator-approved solutions, ensuring your project can progress with confidence.

Do I need a Noise Assessment for a Planning Application?

Yes. If your development is noise-sensitive (such as new housing, schools or healthcare facilities) and located near existing sources of noise, or if your project introduces new noisy plant or equipment, the local planning authority is likely to request a Noise Impact Assessment. In some cases, permission may be granted without one, but noise-related conditions will then be imposed, requiring a report before development can proceed.

What if my planning permission has noise conditions attached?

Noise-related conditions may specify that an acoustic assessment is required before construction or occupation. These conditions often cover façade specifications, internal sound insulation, plant noise assessments, or external amenity noise levels. We provide regulator-ready reports to discharge these conditions efficiently.

How is a Noise Survey carried out?

Our noise consultants use specialist Class I sound level meters to record noise levels at the site over a set period. This may entail an environmental noise survey for determining outdoor noise levels or an internal noise survey to demonstrate compliance with acoustic design criteria. Depending on the type of noise survey, the noise monitoring equipment may be left in one or more secure locations for an extended period.

Where a sound insulation site investigation is required, e.g. when an existing commercial building is being converted for residential use, the sound insulation properties of walls and floors are measured to determine sound insulation improvement needed for acoustic design compliance.

What standards are used in a Noise Assessment?

We carry out assessments in line with relevant UK standards and guidance, including:

  • BS4142 – industrial and commercial noise

  • BS8233 / Approved Document E – sound insulation and building design

  • BS5228 – construction noise and vibration (including Section 61 applications)

  • CRTN / DMRB LA 111 – road traffic noise predictions

  • BREEAM Hea 05 / Pol 05 – acoustic performance and noise pollution credits

How long does a Noise Assessment take?

Typically 2–3 weeks from instruction, provided site access and traffic data are available. Monitoring is weather-dependent, so poor conditions may extend the programme. For more complex projects requiring long-term monitoring or modelling, we’ll advise timescales at the outset.

What happens if a noise problem is identified?

If a noise issue is confirmed, we assess its impact through calculations and modelling, then recommend mitigation measures such as acoustic barriers, façade treatments, glazing upgrades, plant enclosures or operational controls. These solutions are set out in our report so they can be integrated into the design early, avoiding costly redesigns later.

Can a Noise Assessment help with BREEAM?

Yes. We prepare assessments that demonstrate compliance with BREEAM Hea 05 (acoustic performance) and Pol 05 (reduction of noise pollution). This helps secure credits at both design and post-construction stages.

Successful Noise Assessments for Planning

Medway Mail Centre Noise Assessment

Medway Mail Centre Noise Assessment

To improve their operations in Kent, Royal Mail commissioned the development of their new Medway Mail Centre distribution facility in Strood, Medway, Kent, with the aim of consolidating their mail centres in Canterbury, Dartford, Maidstone and Tonbridge. The Medway Mail Centre is now in full operation, processing millions of items each day from addresses in […]

To improve their operations in Kent, Royal Mail commissioned...

Noise Assessment at William Morris Gallery

Noise Assessment at William Morris Gallery

Lustre Consulting was engaged by Faithful+Gould and the London Borough of Waltham Forest to conduct a comprehensive architectural noise assessment to support the renovation and extension of the historic William Morris Gallery. This project required our team to assess the building’s acoustic performance after the removal of artefacts, providing critical baseline data to inform the […]

Lustre Consulting was engaged by Faithful+Gould and the London...

Noise Survey for Pond Farm – Sittingbourne

Noise Survey for Pond Farm – Sittingbourne

Pond Farm is a residential development is located to the south of Iwade, Sittingbourne.

Pond Farm is a residential development is located to the south...

Why do I need an Acoustic Consultant?

Why do I need an Acoustic Consultant?

Working on a construction project can come with a long ‘to do’ list. Not only that, but you have to deal with the stress of navigating planning conditions as well as numerous building regulations. Acoustic issues don’t have to further complicate this process. Could an Acoustic Assessment be a requirement for your site? Of all […]

Working on a construction project can come with a long ‘to...

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