A Noise Impact. Assessment of a Proposal. for a Concrete Block. Making Plant at Neilson s. Railway Sidings, Ise Valley. Industrial Estate,

Transcription

1 A Noise Impact Assessment of a Proposal for a Concrete Block Making Plant at Neilson s Railway Sidings, Ise Valley Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. D F Sharps C Eng FIMechE FIOA Acoustic consultant Sharps Acoustics LLP 27 May 2015

2 Table of contents 1.0 Brief for consultancy advice and introduction: Assessment method and criteria Survey details Assessment of noise emission levels and impact Conclusions Glossary of terms Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Proposed site layout plan Aerial view Survey results Computer modelled noise emission level contours and assumptions

3 1.0 Brief for consultancy advice and introduction: 1.1 Sharps Acoustics LLP (SAL) has been commissioned by Jansen Betonwaren BV (Jansen), a Dutch company, to undertake a noise assessment of a proposed concrete block making plant on a site at Neilson s Railway Sidings, Meadow Close, Ise Valley Industrial estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. 1.2 A plan showing the proposed layout is attached as Appendix A. An aerial view of the site and surrounding area is attached at Appendix B. 1.3 It can be seen that the application site is adjacent to railway sidings. It is within an industrial area being flanked by an aggregate depot and between the Finedon Road and Ise industrial estates. The site would be accessed via Meadow Close the access for the Ise industrial estate. 1.4 The nearest residential properties to the site are located as follows: At the edge of Wellingborough, the nearest properties of which are beyond the industrial estates, which are adjacent to the south-west of the site. These residential properties are some 650 metres from the site. Individual properties on the Wellingborough Road to the north-east of the site at a similar distance. 1.5 The proposed development consists of a rail served concrete block making facility, which will involve a small concrete batching plant (an SBM Euromix Mobile) and aggregate stockpiling area, with the aggregate being imported by rail/road and offloaded into storage bays within the site. Limited volumes of cement will be imported by road, and the finished blocks will be exported by rail and road. It is anticipated that all cement will be imported by rail, in the longer term. 1.6 The concrete batching plant will feed a concrete mixer truck, which will, in turn, fill molds in which the blocks are formed. Once the concrete has been loaded to the concrete mixer truck it is then transported to the mold; where it is poured. A fork lift is used to transport a petrol generator to run a vibrating poker, which is used whilst the concrete is poured. A specific part of the site will be laid out for this purpose. Another part of the site will be used to store materials. 1.7 Operations on the site will not commence until 0700 hours on weekdays (Mondays to Saturdays) and will be entirely within daytime hours. There will be no work on weekends or Bank Holidays. It is proposed that any work outwith the normal operating periods be the subject of separate agreement and prior approval of the local planning authority. Page 1

4 1.8 This report has been structured as follows: Section 2.0 discusses the appropriate assessment method and criteria. Section 3.0 provides details of surveys undertaken at the nearest property to the site and at a comparable concrete block making plant in Holland. Section 4.0 contains details of assessed sound emission levels from the site and an assessment of the impact of these. Conclusions are provided at Section 5.0. A Glossary of terms is set out at Section 6.0 of this report. 2.0 Assessment method and criteria National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), released on 27th March 2012, indicates that local planning authorities should base their decisions and policies relating to planned development so as to: 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. 2.2 The NPPF does not provide prescriptive or quantitative advice on how to achieve these planning objectives. Therefore, it is necessary to consider advice in other policy and technical guidance documents. This advice is discussed below. The Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) 2.3 Footnote 27 on page 29 of the NPPF refers to the Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE), prepared by DEFRA, dated March Page 2

5 2.4 Paragraph 1.5 of the NPSE states that it applies to all forms of noise including environmental noise, neighbour noise and neighbourhood noise. In this respect the document is similar to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Community Noise discussed below. 2.5 The NPSE explains that the WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (NPSE paragraph 2.12). 2.6 The Noise Policy Aims of the NPSE (NPSE paragraphs 2.22 to 2.24) can be summarised as follows: avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life ; mitigate and minimise adverse impacts on health and quality of life ; and where possible, contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life. 2.7 The NPSE makes a distinction between quality of life, which is a subjective measure, and health, which refers to physical and mental well-being. 2.8 Impacts that may result from noise such as annoyance and sleep disturbance are both quality of life and health effects in this sense. 2.9 The NPSE introduces the concepts of the no observed effect level (NOEL); the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) and a significant observed adverse effect level (SOAEL) It is the last of these criteria the SOAEL that is the level above which significant adverse effects on health and quality of life occur that equates to the first aim of the NPSE paragraph 2.6 above) and the first objective of the NPPF (paragraph 2.1 above) The second aim of the NPSE is to mitigate and minimise (any) adverse impacts this applies to impacts which are less than significant or at a SOAEL The NPSE does not provide noise levels or limits above which SOAEL or LOAEL occurs. Indeed, the document advises that it is not possible to have a single objective noise-based measure that defines these impact levels (NPSE paragraph 2.22). Therefore, it is necessary to refer to other advisory documents in order to seek to define such levels. These are discussed below. Planning Practice Guidance Noise 2.13 The PPG Noise provides guidance which is similar to that in the NPPF and NPSE. In a similar manner to the NPSE, the PPG Noise explains: Page 3

6 Observed Effect Levels Significant observed adverse effect level: This is the level of noise exposure above which significant adverse effects on health and quality of life occur; lowest observed adverse effect level: this is the level of noise exposure above which adverse effects on health and quality of life can be detected; and no observed effect level: this is the level of noise exposure below which no effect at all on health or quality of life can be detected A noise exposure hierarchy table within PPG Noise, showing the increase in perception of noise and increase in effect, is reproduced below Table 1 PPG Noise table Perception Examples of Outcomes Increasing Effect Level Action Not noticeable No Effect No Observed Effect No specific measures required Noise can be heard, but does not cause any change in behaviour or attitude. Can slightly affect the acoustic character of the area but not No Observed Adverse Effect No specific measures required such that there is a perceived change in the quality of life. Noticeable and not intrusive Noticeable and intrusive Noticeable and disruptive Noise can be heard and causes small changes in behaviour and/or attitude, e.g. turning up volume of television; speaking more loudly; where there is no alternative ventilation, having to close windows for some of the time because of the noise. Potential for some reported sleep disturbance. Affects the acoustic character of the area such that there is a perceived change in the quality of life. The noise causes a material change in behaviour and/or attitude, e.g. avoiding certain activities during periods of intrusion; where there is no alternative ventilation, having to keep windows closed most of the Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) Observed Adverse Effect Significant Observed Adverse Effect Level (SOAEL) Significant Observed Adverse Effect Mitigate and reduce to a minimum Avoid Page 4

7 Noticeable and very disruptive time because of the noise. Potential for sleep disturbance resulting in difficulty in getting to sleep, premature awakening and difficulty in getting back to sleep. Quality of life diminished due to change in acoustic character of the area. Extensive and regular changes in behaviour and/or an inability to mitigate effect of noise leading to psychological stress or physiological effects, e.g. regular sleep deprivation/awakening; loss of appetite, significant, medically definable harm, e.g. auditory and nonauditory Unacceptable Adverse Effect Prevent British Standard 4142: This fourth edition of the British Standard was published in October It is entitled Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound The Scope of the standard includes: 1.1 This British Standard describes methods for rating and assessing sound of an industrial and/or commercial nature, which includes: a) sound from industrial and manufacturing processes; b) sound from fixed installations which comprise mechanical and electrical plant and equipment; c) sound from the loading and unloading of goods and materials at industrial and/or commercial premises; and d) sound from mobile plant and vehicles that is an intrinsic part of the overall sound emanating from premises or processes, such as that from forklift trucks, or that from train or ship movements on or around an industrial and/or commercial site Unlike the version of the standard that it replaced, the 2014 revision of BS 4142 specifically includes the assessment from facilities such as service yards and from mobile plant and vehicles The standard assesses the likely impact from a proposed scheme by comparing the rating level of the sound being assessed with the background sound level The rating level is described by the LAeqT level of the source in effect the average sound energy level (see section 6.0 below for a description of this index). This level is then Page 5

8 corrected by given decibel factors for any impulsiveness, tonality, intermittency or other character that the sound may possess if these character traits are sufficient to attract attention. These different character corrections are additive The background sound level is described by the LA90 index the level exceeded for 90% (i.e. almost all of) the time (see section 6.0 below for a description of this index) Section 11 of BS 4142 is important and warrants careful consideration and analysis. The following extracts are of note: The significance of sound of an industrial and/or commercial nature depends upon both the margin by which the rating level of the specific sound source exceeds the background sound level and the context in which the sound occurs. An effective assessment cannot be conducted without an understanding of the reason(s) for the assessment and the context in which the sound occurs/will occur. When making assessments and arriving at decisions, therefore, it is essential to place the sound in context. Obtain an initial estimate of the impact of the specific sound by subtracting the measured background sound level from the rating level, and consider the following. a) Typically, the greater this difference, the greater the magnitude of the impact. b) A difference of around +10 db or more is likely to be an indication of a significant adverse impact, depending on the context. c) A difference of around +5 db is likely to be an indication of an adverse impact, depending on the context. d) The lower the rating level is relative to the measured background sound level, the less likely it is that the specific sound source will have an adverse impact or a significant adverse impact. Where the rating level does not exceed the background sound level, this is an indication of the specific sound source having a low impact, depending on the context It can be seen that the recent edition of BS 4142 employs assessment criteria in terms that are the same as those used within the NPPF, NPSE and PPG Noise, i.e. the degree of adverse impact (see paragraphs 2.1 and 2.6 above) However, it is apparent from the advice within BS 4142 that the assessment is only an initial estimate of the impact and the standard repeatedly stresses that the context in which the sound will occur is very important In relation to this BS 4142 advice SAL is of the view that the results of assessments by other methods are important this matter is discussed below. In relation to the need to consider the context of the sound being assessed. Page 6

9 World Health Organisation Guidelines for Community Noise (1999) 2.25 This document contains the most comprehensive and up to date guidance on the assessment of environmental noise. The WHO Guidelines is the culmination of research work since the WHO publication, Environmental Health Criteria 12, released in The Guidelines allow the assessment of impact in terms of health effects. The WHO considers health in the widest sense of the term to include annoyance during the day and sleep disturbance at night. Therefore, the Guidelines are particularly useful when assessing proposals using the provisions of the NPPF The WHO Guidelines contain a matrix of guideline values for effects from noise within different environments. These guideline values are set at the lowest level that produces an adverse effect, that is, the critical health effect. As such the guideline values suggested in the Guidelines are thresholds below which effects such as annoyance during the day and sleep disturbance at night can be assumed to be negligible (see paragraph 2.31 below) The guideline values are set out in a table in the Executive Summary of the document. The WHO guideline values for moderate and serious annoyance during the daytime are LAeq16hrs = 50 and 55 db, respectively; the guideline values for sleep disturbance are LAeq8hour = 45 db and LAMAX = 60 db (see the Glossary of terms at Section 6.0, below, for a description of these indices) These guideline values can be considered to be facade levels, that is, they are applicable at the facade of residential or other noise-sensitive properties. NPL audit report of the WHO Guidelines 2.30 This National Physical Laboratory document, which was commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, contains a section entitled: Guide to the Interpretation of the WHO Guidelines The summary of this section of the NPL report states: In essence, the WHO guidelines represent a consensus view of international expert opinion on the lowest threshold noise levels below which the occurrence rates of particular effects can be assumed to be negligible. Exceedances of the WHO guideline values do not necessarily imply significant noise impact and indeed, it may be that significant impacts do not occur until much higher degrees of noise exposure are reached Higher degrees of exposure is not defined by NPL. However, in SAL s view this would equate to around 10 db (i.e. above the WHO guideline values of 55 db day and 45 db night) around a doubling of the loudness. Page 7

10 3.0 Survey details At the application site 3.1 A survey was undertaken at the nearest and the most sensitive receiver to the application site. The measurement location was at a first floor level in a free-field position, i.e. away from any building s reflecting facades. 3.2 The survey location is shown on the aerial view at Appendix B. 3.3 The survey results are summarised in Table 2 below. Although no night-time site operations are envisaged, the night-time levels are displayed. The full survey results are presented at Appendix C. Table 2 LAeq15min range LA90 range Day (0700 to 2300) 48.7 to 58.8 db 44.0 to 54.4 db Night (2300 to 0700) 44.7 to 54.2 db 42.1 to 51.7 db 3.4 A typical background sound level is LA90 = 50 db during the day (and LA90 = 45 db at night). At a comparable plant in Holland 3.5 A further survey was undertaken in Eindhoven (Holland) at one of Jansen s production sites which has a similar block making process. 3.6 The predominant noise producing processes during the survey were: The concrete mixer trucks being loaded from the batching plant. Individual mold being filled from concrete mixer trucks whilst a forklift holding a vibrating poker is used to ensure compaction of mix in the mold. (The concrete is then left in the mold to cure for around 12 hours before the molds are then split. The molds are then left for a further 12 hours, either in storage or in the molding park. These are passive periods). The pins holding the molds are then removed in order to allow the release of the concrete blocks. Page 8

11 The blocks are moved around the site by forklift trucks (diesel). The blocks are then loaded onto a truck or an HGV for distribution. 3.7 The filling of the molds was continuous. Therefore, whilst one concrete mixer truck was filling the molds the other was being loaded with raw materials. 3.8 Table 3 below shows the sound emission levels of the main noise producing processes. Table 3 measured noise emission levels Process Distance LAeqT SEL LAMAX Batching plant loading concrete into HGV Concrete mixer truck or HGV pass by Forklift pass by Breaking molds (lump hammers) Filling molds A description of the indices used in this table is provided at the Glossary in section 6.0 below. 4.0 Assessment of noise emission levels and impact Noise emission levels 4.1 A computer generated noise model was generated in order to illustrate the likely noise emission levels around the application site and at nearby receptors. Proprietary software called SoundPLAN was employed in this process. 4.2 Firstly, a 3-dimensional model of the proposed plant with the surrounding ground and buildings was constructed within the program. 4.3 Baseline noise emission levels were then assigned to each item of plant or activity on the site. Large items of plant were assigned as plane sources whereas activities such as vehicles moving around the site were assigned as line sources along the typical path of the vehicle. Small items of plant were assigned as point sources. Page 9

12 4.4 Noise emission levels were determined in various ways: i) sound levels measured at a comparable site in Holland; ii) sound emission level data supplied by Jansen and iii) generic sound emission levels provided within British Standard 5228: SoundPLAN uses the provisions of International Standards Organisation (ISO) 9613 in order to determine the propagation of sound at distances from the source(s). This ISO assumes ideal, downwind, propagation conditions, in its calculations. Therefore the predicted sound emission levels that are displayed are maxima. 4.6 The program displays sound immission levels around the site in the form of a Cartesian grid array. Sound emission levels of a given value are then joined to produce a contour map at chosen sound level values. 4.7 These noise emission level contours are displayed at Appendix D. This appendix also provides details of the assumptions employed in terms of noise level baseline data, vehicle flows and the percentage on-time of plant. 4.8 The computer model has been interrogated and the resultant noise emission levels at the ground floor façade of the nearest residential property to the site found to be LAeq1hr = 46 db. 4.9 A description of the LAeqT index is provided at the Glossary in Section 6.0 below However, in summary, the LAeqT index is the average sound energy level over a period of time T The LAeqT index is recommended by all guidance documents used within the UK for the assessment of more-or-less continuous noise BS 4142 requires that the time period of assessment T be 1 hour for day (and 15 minutes for night). The WHO Guidelines advise that the assessment index should be LAeq16hrs (0700 to 2300 hours) However, the value will not change in this case between 1 hour and 16 hours - because a maximum LAeq1hr noise emission level has been assumed. Noise impact 4.14 As discussed above, it is necessary to assess noise impact using the provisions of BS This standard requires a comparison to be made of the rating level of the source being assessed (LAeq1hr) with the typical background sound level (LA90) at the location of the assessed receptor. The former of these levels is the predicted sound emission level (the specific sound level corrected for any character that it may possess which is capable of attracting attention). In SAL s judgment the character of the source and its level relative to the background sound level warrant a character correction of 5 db. Page 10

13 4.15 The rating levels at the assessment receptor therefore become = 51 db at the ground floor façade of the nearest residential property to the site This may be compared to the typical daytime background sound level at the assessment receptor of LA90 = 50 db (paragraph 3.4 above) The rating level versus background sound level difference is, therefore, = 1 db Paragraph 2.21 above notes the provisions of BS 4142 as follows: Obtain an initial estimate of the impact of the specific sound by subtracting the measured background sound level from the rating level, and consider the following. a) Typically, the greater this difference, the greater the magnitude of the impact. b) A difference of around +10 db or more is likely to be an indication of a significant adverse impact, depending on the context. c) A difference of around +5 db is likely to be an indication of an adverse impact, depending on the context. (emphasis added). d) The lower the rating level is relative to the measured background sound level, the less likely it is that the specific sound source will have an adverse impact or a significant adverse impact. Where the rating level does not exceed the background sound level, this is an indication of the specific sound source having a low impact, depending on the context It can be seen that an initial estimate by BS 4142 indicates that there is little likelihood of an adverse noise impact from site operations. The BS 4142 assessment certainly indicates that there would not be a significant impact from site operations the NPPF s principle policy aim. These conclusions are particularly so since worst-case operational assumptions and consequent noise emission levels have been assumed It can be seen that this initial estimate of impact must be placed into context. The context in this case is the results of an assessment by other guidance documents, in particular the WHO Guidelines The WHO Guidelines indicate that impacts during the day and night would not be significant because the LAeqT noise emission level of 46 db is not at much higher degrees of noise exposure than the WHO Guidelines guideline values of LAeqT = 50 to 55 db day (paragraph 2.31, above, refers) The joint BS 4142 and WHO Guidelines assessments indicate that activity at the site would not result in significant impacts either during the day or at night. Indeed, assessments by these documents indicate low noise impact However, the Government policy advice is not just to avoid significant adverse impacts but also to mitigate and minimise other (non-significant) impacts. On this basis, SAL concludes that it is appropriate to reduce noise emission levels from the site. Page 11

14 4.24 The nature of this facility is such that concrete blocks are readily available since they would be stored on site, anyway, for subsequent distribution. Therefore, SAL recommends that barriers be produced from these blocks at an optimum height of 4 metres, around the site. These barriers are shown on the aerial view at Appendix B These barriers would reduce the sound emission levels at the assessment receptor and beyond by around 2 db at ground floor and first floor. The degree of net barrier effect is limited because of the degree of ground absorption between the site and residential properties The resultant emission levels would be such that the BS 4142 rating level versus background sound level difference during the day would reduce to - 1 db. BS 4142 indicates low impacts at such a level difference The above assessment has concentrated on impacts to the nearest property to the application site, to the north-east of the site SAL confirms that due to screening by large buildings, emission levels and impacts to the south-west of the site, at properties in Wellingborough, will be much lower than shown. This can be clearly seen on the contour plans at Appendix D 5.0 Conclusions 5.1 The joint BS 4142 and WHO Guidelines assessments indicate that activity at the site would not result in significant impacts at the closest and most affected properties. This is the Government s principal policy aim. 5.2 However, the Government policy advice is not just to avoid significant adverse impacts but also to mitigate and minimise other (non-significant) impacts. On this basis, SAL concludes that it is appropriate to reduce noise emission levels from the site. 5.3 The nature of this facility is such that concrete blocks are readily available since they would be stored on site, anyway, for subsequent distribution. Therefore, SAL recommends that barriers be produced from these blocks at an optimum height of 4 metres, around the site. These barriers would reduce the sound emission levels at the assessment receptor and beyond by around 2 db at ground floor and first floor. 5.4 With mitigation, the noise impacts assessed by BS 4142 and the WHO Guidelines would be low. 5.5 In SAL s judgment, the resultant post-mitigation noise emission levels would fully comply with Government policy advice and would not result in undue disturbance to residents. Page 12

15 6.0 Glossary of terms Ambient sound: The all encompassing sound associated with a given environment at a specified time, being usually a composite of sound from many sources, near or far. Audible sound: 1) Acoustic oscillations of such a character as to be capable of exciting the sensation of hearing. 2) Sensation of hearing excited by sound waves. Average sound level: See equivalent continuous sound level. A weighting: A frequency response provided in a sound level meter which reflects the sensitivity of human hearing to different frequencies. A-weighted sound level: The sound level (otherwise known as sound pressure level) obtained by use of A-weighting. Decibel unit is db. Often, the unit symbol is followed by the letter A in round brackets, i.e. db(a). Background sound level (bsl): The total level of sound from all other sources other than the particular source of interest. The index symbol is LA90,T. In BS 4142 the bsl is described as A-weighted sound pressure level that is exceeded by the residual sound at the assessment location for 90% of a given time interval, T, measured using time weighting, F, and quoted to the nearest whole number of decibels. Decibel: A unit of level which denotes the ratio between two quantities that are proportionate to power; the number of decibels is 10 times the logarithm of this ratio. One decibel is one tenth of a Bel. Unit symbol for decibel: db. Divergence: The spreading of sound waves from a source in a free-filed, resulting in a diminution in sound level with increasing distance from the source. This reduction in sound level is 6 db per doubling of distance from a point source (such as a stationary vehicle) and 3 db per doubling of distance from a line source (such as vehicles on a road). Equivalent continuous sound level: The level of a steady sound which, in a stated time period, has the same sound energy as the time-varying sound. The index symbol is LeqT. When A-weighted the symbol becomes LAeqT with the unit symbol being db (Note: Alternatively LeqT db(a)). Facade noise level: The sound level at a facade (usually taken to be 1 metre from the facade (see for example BS 4142). A facade level is taken to be 3 db higher than the level in the absence of the facade (i.e. the equivalent free-field level) although Calculation of Road Traffic Noise assumes a 2.5 db difference. Page 13

16 Far-field: That portion of a sound field of a sound source in which the sound level, due to the source, decreases by 6 db for each doubling of distance from the source (that is, the distance at which the source acts as a point source). Free-field: A sound field in a homogeneous isotropic medium whose boundaries exert a negligible influence on the sound waves. In practice, a field in which the effects of the boundaries are negligible over the frequencies of interest. Often taken to be > 3.5 metres from a building facade (ref: BS 4142). Frequency: Of a function periodic in time, the number of times the quantity repeats itself in one second. The unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz) with 1 hertz = 1 cycle per second. Frequency weighted sound level: The root-mean-square of the instantaneous sound (pressure) level, time weighted (slow, fast, impulse or peak) and frequency-weighted with a standard frequency characteristic (the most often used being A-weighting ). Masking: The process by which the threshold of hearing of one sound is raised by the presence of another sound. Maximum A-weighted sound level: The greatest A-weighted sound level measured on a sound level meter during a designated time interval or event. The time averaging is usually fast but can sometimes be slow (e.g. PPG 24 and measurement of aircraft noise). Near field: The sound field close to a source (between the source and the far-field). Noise: Any undesired or unwanted sound. Octave band sound level: The sound (pressure) level within an octave frequency band. Octave band centre frequencies include: 31.5 Hz, 63 Hz, 1125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz (otherwise shown as 1 KHz), etc. Octave band spectrum: A frequency spectrum showing levels in octave band widths. Percentile sound level: The sound level that is exceeded for a certain percentage of the time over a measurement period. The background noise level is expressed in some standards as LA90, the A-weighted sound level exceeded for 90% (almost all) of the time; Traffic is often assessed using the index LA10, the sound level exceeded for 10% (not much) of the time. Rating level: The equivalent continuous A-weighted sound level produced by a specific source, during a specified time period, with an adjustment (correction) for the character of the sound LAeqT (see specific noise level ). Receiver: A person(s), property or equipment that is affected by noise. Page 14

17 Residual noise: The ambient noise remaining at a given position in a given situation when the specific noise source under investigation is not present or is suppressed (see background noise level ). Reverberant sound field: A sound field in an enclosed or partially enclosed space where the sound level is dictated other than directly. Single event level (sound exposure level): The total sound energy within a transient event, such as an aircraft flyover, normalised into one second. May be used as a building block in the determination of an LAeqT level for any number of events (n) and any total time period (T) described in seconds (t) using the formula LAeqT = SEL + 10 logarithm n 10 logarithm t (e.g. 20 trains an hour at an SEL of 90 db(a) equate to an LAeq1hr of log log 3600 = = 67 db (A)). Sound: A physical disturbance of a medium (e.g. air) that is capable of being detected by the human ear. Sound absorption: The property possessed by materials of converting sound to heat resulting from either the propagation of sound in the medium or dissipation of sound as it strikes the medium, Good sound absorption material are soft and usually fibrous or cellular. Sound (pressure) level: Ten times the logarithm of the square of the ratio of the instantaneous sound pressure to the reference sound pressure of 20 micropascals (µpa). Unit is the decibel (db). Sound level meter: An instrument that is used to measure sound (pressure) level, with standard frequency and time-averaging weightings. Specific noise level: The equivalent continuous A-weighted sound level produced by a specific source, during a specified time period LAeqT (see rating level ). Spherical propagation: Propagation into a sphere (as with an aircraft in the air). In practice sound sources are located on the ground and so propagation is hemispherical. Page 15

18 APPENDIX A PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT PLAN

19

20 APPENDIX B AERIAL VIEW

21 Site location - see layout Measurement location

22 APPENDIX C SURVEY RESULTS

23 Wellingborough survey results Weather: clear and dry with no discernible wind/direction, 2 C to 2 C Calibration before dba Calibration after dba Date Start time LAeq15min LAMAX LA10 LA90 Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Monday, 19, January, :00: Monday, 19, January, :15: Monday, 19, January, :30: Monday, 19, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00:

24 Wellingborough survey results Weather: clear and dry with no discernible wind/direction, 2 C to 2 C Calibration before dba Calibration after dba Date Start time LAeq15min LAMAX LA10 LA90 Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15: Tuesday, 20, January, :30: Tuesday, 20, January, :45: Tuesday, 20, January, :00: Tuesday, 20, January, :15:

25 Noise measurements of concrete block procedure Equipment Duration Measurement distance (m) LAeqT LAMAX SEL 63 Hz 80 Hz 100 Hz 125 Hz 160 Hz 200 Hz 250 Hz 315 Hz 400 Hz 500 Hz 630 Hz 800 Hz 1.0 khz 1.25 khz 1.6 khz 2.0 khz 2.5 khz 3.15 khz 4.0 khz 5.0 khz 6.3 khz 8.0 khz 10.0 khz 12.5 khz 16.0 khz Loading mixer 10min loading continuous in and out (used in model) (0:1:0.0) Lorry leaving batching plant (used in model) (0:0:29.0) Batching plant not loading (0:0:20.0) Concrete lorry parking under batching plant (0:1:4.0) Forlift pick up block to move to storage area (0:0:16.0) Filling molds (used in model) (0:1:26.0) Cleaning blocks (hammer and brushing clean) (used in model) (0:0:34.0) Forklift pass by (used in model) (0:0:11.0) Forklift pass by reversing (with reversing alarms) note only one forlift was (0:0:29.0) using reversing alarms Lfeq

26 APPENDIX D COMPUTER MODELLED NOISE EMISSION LEVEL CONTOURS AND ASSUMPTIONS

27

28 SoundPLAN Source data db (per metre where applicable) Activity/equipment Source type l or A m,m² L'w db(a) Lw db(a) LwMax db(a) Measured/Supplied/BS5228 Emission spectrum 63Hz 125Hz 250Hz 500Hz 1kHz 2kHz 4kHz 8kHz 16kHz Aggregate moving Line BS5228 Articulated dump truck forklift diesel Line Measured Forklift Loading truck Point BS5228 Wheel loader, loading gravel Roof (per mold) Area Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Facade 1 (per mold) Area Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Facade 2 (per mold) Area Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Facade 3 (per mold) Area Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Facade 4 (per mold) Area Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Breaking/cleaning molds (LAMAX only) Point Measured Breaking /cleaning of molds Concrete pour and vibrator (per mold) Point Measured Concrete pour and vibrator Roof (per mold) Area Measured Concrete batching plant (filling continuously) Facade 1 (per mold) Area Measured Concrete batching plant (filling continuously) Facade 2 (per mold) Area Measured Concrete batching plant (filling continuously) Facade 3 (per mold) Area Measured Concrete batching plant (filling continuously) Facade 4 (per mold) Area Measured Concrete batching plant (filling continuously) Conveyor rollers Line BS5228 Conveyor (rollers) Washer Area Supplied Sieve 90dBA Sieve 82 Area Supplied Sieve 82dBA Sieve 90 Area Supplied Sieve 90dBA Sieve 90 Area Supplied Sieve 90dBA Sieve 91 Area Supplied Sieve 90dBA Water sieve Area Supplied Water sieve Sieve 74 Area Supplied Water sieve Sludge tank Area Supplied Sludge tank Water buffer tank Area Supplied Water buffer tank Articulated dump truck Line BS5228 Articulated dump truck Concrete mixer (Per HGV) Line BS5228 Concrete mixer pass by Conveyor drive unit (per HGV) Point Supplied C10.21 Conveyor drive unit Magnetic belt Point Supplied Magnetic Belt Sand Pump Point Supplied Sand pump Organic separator Point Supplied Organic separator Separator set 4.18 Point Supplied Separator set Separator set 4.18 Point Supplied Separator set Pump 250/200 Point Supplied Pump 250/ Pump 150/100 Point Supplied Pump 150/ Sludge pumps Point Supplied Sludge pumps Water pumps Point Supplied Water pumps L'w db(a) Is the sound power level per m if a line source or per m^2 for an area source Lw db(a) Is the sound power level for the entire source l or A m,m² Line or Area, metre or metre^2 Each source sound power level have varified in soundplan in a "test scenario", and adjusted accordingly.

29 SoundPLAN movements Process Equipment Number in Number out Aggregate to storage bins Wheel loader (20 tonne) 2 2 per hour Smaller dumper to load hopper for batching plant Per hour Conveyor from hopper to batching plant Constant Cement deliveries Cement lorry 2 2 Per day Concrete filling molds/forklift vibrator Concrete lorry/forklift (with generator) 4 4 per hour Breaking molds Lump hammer Forklift Molds to storage area Diesel forklift Constant 800 movements per day Batching plant Concrete block deliveries from storage area Pick up HGVs (Cranes on HGV) or general HGVs 4 4 per hour Aggregate deliveries Tipper HGVs (assumed no train deliveries) 4 4 per hour Trains (not included in the above) Unknown 2 2 Per week Loading Hooper from crude storage (filling Wheel loader transportation unloading) Wheel loader (20 Tonne) All conveyors Point source at motor All parts of Aggregate sorting process All (see plan for acoustic details) Aggregate sorting plant Filling of the wheel loader Constant Constant Constant Constant