2. QM
Issue/revision Issue 1 Revision 1 Revision 2 Revision 3
Remarks Draft for comment Final
Date 27 January 2011 28 January 2011
Prepared by Louise Beamish Louise Beamish
Signature
Checked by Steve Fisher Steve Fisher
Signature
Authorised by David Maundrill David Maundrill
Signature
Project number 15806 15806
File reference Furze Platt, Furze Platt,
Maidenhead – Maidenhead –
Noise Report.doc Noise Report.doc
WSP Acoustics
WSP House
70 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1AF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7314 5000
Fax: +44 (0)20 7314 5111
http://www.wspacoustics.com
3. Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Description of the Site 2
3 Assessment Methodology 4
4 Baseline Noise Survey 7
5 Delivery Noise Assessment 9
6 Fixed Plant Items 12
7 Car Park Noise Levels 13
8 Mitigation Measures 15
9 Best Practice Measures 17
10 Conclusions 18
Appendix A Glossary of Technical Terms 19
Appendix B Site and Surrounding Area 21
Appendix C List of Equipment 23
Appendix D Measured Noise Levels 24
Appendix E Maximum Delivery Noise Levels at 66 Furze Platt Road
with Mitigation 41
Appendix F Limitations to this Report 42
4. 1 Introduction
1.1.1 WSP Acoustics has been appointed by Sainsbury’s to undertake a noise
assessment for their proposed Sainsbury’s Local store on Furze Platt Road in
Maidenhead to accompany a planning application.
1.1.2 The purpose of this noise assessment is to determine the potential noise
impact of the store in terms of the heavy goods vehicle deliveries, fixed plant items and
the use of the customer car park.
1.1.3 Information regarding the delivery schedule to the store and the likely number
of customer cars have been provided and used to inform this assessment.
1.1.4 This report is arranged as follows:
Section 2 a description of the location of the site, the significant noise sources
in the area surrounding it and the existing and proposed site
operations;
Section 3 relevant standards and guidelines for the assessment of noise;
Section 4 noise survey methodology and results;
Section 5 an assessment of the existing noise climate and the potential
impact of deliveries to the store;
Section 6 requirements for fixed plant items;
Section 7 an assessment of noise levels generated by the use of the
customer car park;
Section 8 mitigation measures;
Section 9 best practice measures; and
Section 10 conclusions.
1.1.5 The report includes some technical terminology and so a glossary is provided
as Appendix A at the back of the report.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 1
5. 2 Description of the Site
2.1 EXISTING SITE
2.1.1 The site is to the north-west of Maidenhead town centre on Furze Platt Road to
the north of its junction with Courthouse Road.
2.1.2 The site currently comprises a disused car showroom and forecourt. There is
an unoccupied flat above the car showroom that is within the control of the applicant. It is
understood that the flat has no external amenity space.
2.1.3 The site is bounded to the north-west by the Furze Platt War Memorial Hall with
residential properties fronting Furze Platt Road beyond. To the north-east is Furze Platt
Road and to the east are residential properties fronting the road. Immediately to the
south are properties fronting Furze Platt Road beyond which are properties on
Courthouse Road and Willow Close (off Courthouse Road). To the west of the site are
the buildings and grounds of Furze Platt Senior School.
2.1.4 Although currently unoccupied, the first floor dwelling on the site will remain
and will therefore be the closest noise-sensitive receptor to the proposed operations.
Any recommended mitigation measures for the first floor flat are only applicable should
the dwelling become occupied whilst Sainsbury’s is operating from the site.
2.1.5 The site location and existing layout are shown in Appendix B.
2.2 PROPOSED SITE
2.2.1 The store will occupy the existing building with the exception of a small area of
the existing car showroom fronting Furze Platt Road which will be mothballed for future
development.
2.2.2 Car parking will be located to both the front and rear of the store. Daily
deliveries will be made by heavy goods vehicles and small vans to the front of the store
prior to 07:00 hours when it is proposed the store will open. There will be a designated
area for external building services plant to the rear of the store.
2.2.3 The proposed opening hours of the store are 07:00 to 23:00 hours from
Monday to Sunday.
2.2.4 The proposed site layout, delivery and car parking areas are shown on the
drawing in Appendix B.
2.2.5 A delivery schedule has been provided by Sainsbury’s, as shown in Table 2.1
below.
Table 2.1 Sainsbury’s Delivery Schedule – Furze Platt Road, Maidenhead
Delivery Frequency Vehicle
Sainsbury’s depot delivery Daily 10.7m artic/11m rigid
Direct bread (1) Daily 10-11m rigid
Direct bread (2) Daily 10-11m rigid
Direct milk Daily 10-11m rigid
Newspapers and magazines Daily Small van
Cigarettes etc Weekly 10-11m rigid
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 2
6. 2.2.6 Typically, the depot delivery will take 45 minutes, the bread deliveries will take
10 to 15 minutes each, and the milk delivery will take 10 minutes. The newspapers will
take up to two minutes and the cigarette delivery will take 20 to 30 minutes.
2.2.7 Sainsbury’s recognises that there will be a potential impact from noise during
the operation of the proposed store at the currently unoccupied flat located directly
above the proposed store. Consequently, the redevelopment of the site will include a
glazing and ventilation package (where required) for the first floor flat to ensure that the
internal noise climate is suitable for residential occupation. As mentioned above, this
mitigation will only be required should the flat become occupied.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 3
7. 3 Assessment Methodology
3.1 CONSULTATION WITH THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR
AND MAIDENHEAD
3.1.1 The environmental health department of the Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead (RBWM) has been consulted during the preparation of this assessment.
3.1.2 It was determined that for fixed plant items an assessment in accordance with
British Standard 4142: 1997 Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential
and industrial areas should be undertaken. RBWM has provided the following standard
condition that will apply:
“EH101 Noise Emission Control
The rating level of the noise emitted from the site shall be lower than the existing
background level (to be measured over the period of operation of the proposed plant and
equipment and over a minimum reference time interval of 1 hour in the daytime and 5
minutes at night) by at least 10dB(A). The noise levels shall be determined 1m from the
nearest noise-sensitive premises. The measurement and assessment shall be made in
accordance with BS 4142: 1997 ‘Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed
residential and industrial area’.
Reason: To protect the residential amenities of the area. Relevant Policy Local Plan
NAP3.”
3.1.3 In order to determine the potential impact of the store deliveries and the use of
the customer car park (both front and rear of the store), it was agreed that an
assessment against existing ambient noise levels should be undertaken. It is proposed
that the significance of the impacts may be determined using the joint Institute of
Acoustics (IoA) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
draft Guidelines for Noise Impact Assessment.
3.1.4 RBWM has a standard planning condition relating to vehicle deliveries, which is
set out below.
“EH107 Vehicle Deliveries
Deliveries by any vehicle used for commercial purposes shall only be made to or from
the site between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 hours Monday to Fridays and between
08:00 and 13:00 hours Saturdays and at no time on Sundays or Bank or Public Holidays.
Reason: To protect the residential amenities of the area. Relevant Policy Local Plan
NAP3.”
3.1.5 Deliveries to the store have to occur in the morning prior to store opening and,
as such, will not comply with condition EH107 above. An assessment of the potential
impacts during deliveries is set out in Section 5.
3.1.6 A summary of the relevant British Standards and guidance documents is
shown below.
3.2 BS 4142: 1997 METHOD FOR RATING INDUSTRIAL NOISE
AFFECTING MIXED RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS
3.2.1 When assessing the potential noise impact from factories, industrial premises
or fixed installations and sources of an industrial nature in commercial premises, it is
appropriate to refer to British Standard 4142:1997 Method for rating industrial noise
affecting mixed residential and industrial areas.
3.2.2 The procedure contained in BS 4142 for assessing the likelihood of complaint
is to compare the measured or predicted noise level from the source in question, known
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 4
8. as the specific noise level (LAeq,T), immediately outside the receiver, with the background
noise level (LA90,T) that exists in the absence of the source in question.
3.2.3 Where the noise contains a "distinguishable discrete continuous note (whine,
hiss, screech, hum etc.)” or if there are “distinct impulses (bangs, clicks, clatters or
thumps)”, or if “the noise is irregular enough to attract attention", then a correction of
+5 dB is added to the specific noise level to obtain the rating level (LAr,T).
3.2.4 The likelihood of the noise giving rise to complaints is assessed by subtracting
the background noise level from the rating noise level. BS 4142 states: "A difference of
around +10 dB or more indicates that complaints are likely. A difference of around +5 dB
is of marginal significance. If the rating level is more than 10 dB below the measured
background then this is a positive indication that complaints are unlikely.”
3.2.5 As set out in RBWM’s condition EH101 above, a rating level of at least 10 dB
below the existing background noise levels is required for fixed plant items.
3.3 BS 8233: 1999: SOUND INSULATION AND NOISE REDUCTION
FOR BUILDINGS - CODE OF PRACTICE
3.3.1 The scope of this standard is the provision of recommendations for the control
of noise in and around buildings.
3.3.2 The standard suggests suitable internal noise levels within different types of
buildings, including residential dwellings, for steady external noise sources. It suggests
that an internal noise level of LAeq,T 30 dB within bedrooms is a ‘good’ standard, whilst
LAeq,T 35 dB is a ‘reasonable’ standard. For living areas in the daytime, the standard
recommends LAeq,T 30 dB as a ‘good’ standard and LAeq,T 40 dB as being a ‘reasonable’
standard. BS 8233 also states that individual noise events should not normally exceed
LAFmax 45 dB in bedrooms at night.
3.3.3 With regards to noise levels in external amenity areas, BS 8233 states: “it is
desirable that the steady state noise level does not exceed LAeq,T 50 dB and LAeq,T 55 dB
should be regarded as the upper limit.”
3.4 WHO GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY NOISE
3.4.1 The internal and external noise level criteria presented in BS 8233 for
residential dwellings are generally consistent with this WHO publication although some
differences are apparent. For instance, with respect to the LAFmax 45 dB criterion
presented in BS 8233, the WHO guidelines refer to a study which concluded:
“For a good sleep, it is believed that indoor sound pressure levels should not
exceed approximately 45 dB LAFmax more than 10-15 times per night.”
3.4.2 Assuming a 10 dB(A) to 15 dB(A) attenuation of noise through a façade with a
partially open window indicates that external LAmax noise levels should not generally
exceed between 55 dB and 60 dB more than 10-15 times per night to achieve the target
referred to in the WHO guidelines. This is a difficult target to achieve in many urban
areas and the baseline data show that this level is currently exceeded throughout the
survey period, therefore suggesting that this criterion is inappropriate in this town centre
location.
3.4.3 The guidance in BS 8233 and the WHO Guidelines for Community Noise on
internal noise levels will be referenced in the assessment of delivery noise and car
parking noise.
3.5 IOA/IEMA DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
3.5.1 Although the Institute of Environmental Management Assessment (IEMA) and
Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Working Party guidelines are still only a consultation draft at
this stage, they are of some assistance in this exercise. They provide an example of
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 5
9. how changes in noise level can be categorised by significance. This example is included
in Table 3.1 below.
Table 3.1 Example of Categorising the Significance of the Basic Noise Change
Noise Change (dB) Category
0 No impact
0.1 - 2.9 Slight impact
3.0 - 4.9 Moderate impact
5.0 - 9.9 Substantial impact
10.0 or more Severe impact
3.5.2 The draft guidelines state that the information contained in Table 3.1 is an
example of how basic noise changes may be categorised and that in any assessment,
the noise level threshold and significance statement should be determined by the
assessor, based upon the specific evidence and likely subjective response to the noise.
3.5.3 It is considered that the above table is suitable for use in the assessment of
delivery noise and car park noise and that a change in ambient noise levels of up to 3 dB
is acceptable.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 6
10. 4 Baseline Noise Survey
4.1 METHODOLOGY
th
4.1.1 WSP Acoustics has undertaken a noise survey at the site from Thursday 28
nd
October to Monday 2 November 2010 to establish representative daytime and night-
time noise levels affecting the site.
4.1.2 Measurements were undertaken at three locations on the site, namely:
Position 1: in the west of the site and to the rear of the existing building;
Position 2: in the east of the site in line with the front façade of the Peugeot
showroom and 14 metres from Furze Platt Road; and
Position 3: in the east of the site approximately 10 metres from Furze Platt
Road.
4.1.3 At Positions 1 and 3 the microphone was measuring free-field noise levels and
was at a height of approximately 1.3 metres above the ground. At Position 2 the
microphone was in a façade position (i.e. 1 metre from the existing building façade) and
located at a height of approximately 3.5 metres above the ground in order to be above
the site hoarding.
th
4.1.4 Noise levels were measured at Position 1 from Thursday 28 October to
nd th
Tuesday 2 November 2010. At Position 2 noise levels were measured from 28
st
October until Monday 1 November 2010 and at Position 3 a three-hour short-term
nd
attended measurement was undertaken on Tuesday 2 November 2010.
4.1.5 Position 2 was partially screened from the road by the adjacent dwelling (69
Furze Platt Road). This was considered the only secure location in the east of the site to
leave our noise monitoring equipment unattended. As such, a short-term attended
measurement, with a clear line of sight to Furze Platt Road was undertaken at Position 3
for comparison (see Section 4.4 below).
4.1.6 All equipment was calibrated at the start and end of the measurements and no
significant drifts in calibration were found to have occurred. A list of equipment used is
given in Appendix C.
4.2 RESULTS
4.2.1 The data gathered during the measurement periods have been analysed to
determine the noise indices of LAeq,T, LA90,T, LA10,T, and LAmax (fast response).
4.2.2 Table 4.1 below summarises the daytime (07:00 to 23:00 hours) and night-time
(23:00 to 07:00 hours) noise levels for Positions 1 and 2 and the three hour noise level
for Position 3. Appendix D shows the tabulated and graphical 15 minute values.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 7
11. Table 4.1 Summary of Measured Levels, dB, Free-field
Position Time Period LAeq LA10 LA90 LAFmax
Daytime 49.6 – 55.1 51.4 – 54.3 43.5 to 45.5 92.0
1
Night-time 40.5 – 44.2 42.4 – 45.3 31.2 – 35.9 81.2
Daytime 60.2 – 61.1 63.4 – 64.3 46.6 – 49.8 95.1
2
Night-time 52.4 – 57.0 48.6 – 55.2 33.1 – 37.0 97.7
3 14:28 to 17:28 66.4 - - -
4.2.3 Due to the change from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time the
th
measurement on the night of Saturday 30 October 2010 at Positions 1 and 2 has been
derived from a nine hour noise level.
4.2.4 The noise climate at Position 1 consisted of distant road traffic from Furze Platt
Road and a low level of aircraft noise. At Positions 2 and 3, road traffic noise from Furze
Platt Road was the dominant source.
4.3 WEATHER CONDITIONS
4.3.1 The weather conditions during the survey were suitable for noise
measurements, being dry with little or no wind.
4.4 COMPARISON OF NOISE LEVELS AT POSITIONS 2 AND 3
4.4.1 A comparison of the daytime noise levels at Positions 2 and 3 has been
undertaken to determine the road traffic noise levels at the façade of the building which
are considered representative of those at the first floor flat on-site.
4.4.2 The measurements at Position 3 were undertaken at 10 metres from the kerb
of Furze Platt Road and the build line is approximately 15 metres from the road. A
correction of -1.4 dB should therefore first be applied to the levels measured at
Position 3 to derive a level of 65 dB LAeq at the build line.
4.4.3 The difference between the daytime level measured at Position 2 and the level
derived at the build line is approximately 4 dB. The following ambient noise levels are
considered representative of the on-site first floor flat.
Table 4.2 Derived Noise Levels at First Floor Flat, dB, Free-field
Position Time Period LAeq
Daytime 64.2 – 65.6
First floor flat on-site
Night-time 56.4 – 61.0
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 8
12. 5 Delivery Noise Assessment
5.1 EXISTING NOISE CLIMATE
5.1.1 From the data in Tables 4.1 and 4.2 and the tabulated and graphical
measurement data in Appendix D it can be seen that the existing noise climate is typical
for a semi-urban environment.
5.1.2 The LAFmax,15min noise levels remain relatively high during the night-time (23:00
to 07:00 hours), with the levels generally ranging from approximately 65 to 85 dB at
Position 2. The night-time LAeq,15min values range from approximately 50 to 57 dB at
Position 2.
5.1.3 It can be seen that the existing ambient (LAeq) and LAmax values already exceed
those detailed in the WHO Guidelines for Community Noise, as detailed in Section 3.
5.1.4 It is therefore considered that an assessment using WHO criteria would be
inappropriate and that an assessment considering the potential increase in ambient and
maximum noise levels would be more appropriate.
5.1.5 However, the exception is the first floor flat on the site itself which is currently
unoccupied. As such, it is considered inappropriate to assess the change in ambient
noise levels during a delivery as the future occupants will not be aware of the existing
ambient noise levels. Instead, the absolute internal noise levels will be considered in
accordance with the guideline values in British Standard 8233: 1999 Sound insulation
and noise reduction for buildings – code of practice.
5.2 POTENTIAL IMPACT OF EARLY MORNING DELIVERIES
5.2.1 Currently there are no British Standards or guidelines for calculating or
assessing noise from service yards/deliveries. However, in the absence of such
guidelines, noise levels can be calculated using standard acoustic propagation models
and measurement data obtained by WSP from other similar facilities.
5.2.2 As detailed in Section 2, the Sainsbury’s Local store requires five deliveries per
day, and once a week this would increase to six. All deliveries will occur prior to store
opening at 07:00 hours.
5.2.3 The cigarettes delivery occurs weekly and has therefore been excluded from
this assessment. Additionally, the newspapers are delivered daily by a small van which
is likely to last for one to two minutes and, considering the existing road traffic noise
levels, this delivery has also been excluded from the assessment.
5.2.4 The Sainsbury’s management plan sets out the following best practice
measures which have been taken into account when predicting noise levels from
deliveries:
all refrigeration units will be switched off before arriving at site and will not be
switched on until after leaving the site; and
heavy goods delivery vehicles will not use their reversing alarms when on the
site.
5.2.5 In calculating the noise level from a delivery, a number of component activities
have been considered, as follows:
the HGV arriving at the site and manoeuvring into the unloading position;
unloading the goods from the HGV, which are transported in roll cages;
the roll cages being transported from the HGV to the store (i.e. across the car
park area);
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 9
13. loading empty cages onto the HGV; and
the HGV departing.
5.2.6 The calculations also include gaps between the noise-generating activities for
example where the driver/staff are inside the building.
5.2.7 The closest noise-sensitive receptor is the first floor flat on the site itself. Also
requiring consideration are dwellings on Furze Platt Road including No. 69 immediately
to the south of the site and those in the area of No. 66 directly opposite the site.
5.2.8 As the assessment methodology for the on-site and off-site receptors is
different they have been dealt with separately below.
5.2.9 In each instance noise levels have been predicted using the noise modelling
software CadnaA.
ON-SITE DWELLING
5.2.10 The façade of the on-site flat facing Furze Platt Road is slightly set back and
has a bay window which is nine metres from the delivery area and a window that is
further set back at 11 metres from the delivery area. At this stage, the internal layout of
the flat is not available so it has been assumed that both of these windows are to
bedrooms.
5.2.11 At a distance of nine metres an HGV delivery (i.e. a Sainsbury’s depot delivery)
will generate noise levels of 58.8 dB LAeq,45minutes and 88.4 dB LAFmax free-field. The
Sainsbury’s depot delivery is likely to generate the highest noise levels as it is the largest
vehicle that will be making a delivery to the store.
5.2.12 Should two deliveries occur simultaneously the noise level would increase by
3 dB to 61.8 dB LAeq,45minutes. Note that this is based on two Sainsbury’s depot deliveries
occurring simultaneously which in reality would not happen but does present a worst-
case assessment.
5.2.13 At the window 11 metres from the delivery the predicted noise levels are 10 dB
lower than those shown above due to the increased distance and screening.
5.2.14 The worst-case scenario of two delivery vehicles will be used to derive
mitigation measure for the first floor dwelling (see Section 8).
OFF-SITE DWELLINGS
5.2.15 Two off-site receptors are considered; 69 Furze Platt Road which is
immediately to the south of the site and gable end on to the front of store and 66 Furze
Platt Road which is directly opposite the site with a clear line view of the front of store
(i.e. the delivery area).
69 Furze Platt Road
5.2.16 No. 69 Furze Platt Road is approximately 20 metres from the unloading area
but the closest habitable room window is in the eastern façade of the dwelling (i.e. side-
on to the unloading area) fronting the road and will therefore benefit from some
screening. The predicted noise levels at the first floor habitable room window during a
Sainsbury’s depot delivery are 45.7 dB LAeq,45minutes and 78.5 dB LAmax.
5.2.17 The existing ambient noise levels shown in Table 4.2 have been corrected to
10 metres from the road (i.e. 69 Furze Platt Road façade) and have been used to
anticipate the impact of the delivery vehicles. As the timing of the deliveries is not
confirmed at this stage, it is appropriate to consider the impact during each of the eight
hours in the night-time period. The impact has been determined using the lowest
measured ambient noise levels (Sunday to Monday night) such that the greatest impacts
are identified. Table 5.1 below shows the increase in ambient noise level during a
Sainsbury depot delivery in each hour of the night-time period.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 10
14. Table 5.1 Predicted Impact of Sainsbury’s Depot Deliveries, dB, Free-field
Position Time Increase in Ambient
Noise Level
23:00 – 00:00 0.2
00:00 – 01:00 0.6
01:00 – 02:00 0.7
02:00 – 03:00 1.4
69 Furze Platt Road
03:00 – 04:00 1.0
04:00 – 05:00 0.5
05:00 – 06:00 0.2
06:00 – 07:00 0.1
5.2.18 It can be seen that the predicted impacts range from +0.1 to +1.4 dB during a
single delivery. During two deliveries the impacts would range from +0.1 to +2.5 dB.
5.2.19 During the night-time the predicted LAmax noise level is in excess of the
measured noise levels by between 0.6 and 9.6 dB (discounting an atypically low LAmax at
02:30 hours).
66 Furze Platt Road
5.2.20 Although further from the proposed store than 69 Furze Platt Road, the first
floor habitable room windows (i.e. bedrooms) of this receptor have a clear view to the
front of store delivery area.
5.2.21 The predicted noise levels during a Sainsbury’s depot delivery are
52 dB LAeq,45minutes and 75.9 dB LAmax. As above the existing ambient noise levels in Table
4.2 have been corrected to 12 metres from the road (i.e. 66 Furze Platt Road façade)
and used to assess the impact of a Sainsbury’s depot delivery during each of the night-
time hours. The impacts are shown in Table 5.2 below.
Table 5.2 Predicted Impact of Sainsbury’s Depot Deliveries, dB, Free-field
Position Time Increase in Ambient
Noise Level
23:00 – 00:00 0.9
00:00 – 01:00 2.2
01:00 – 02:00 2.7
02:00 – 03:00 4.6
66 Furze Platt Road
03:00 – 04:00 3.6
04:00 – 05:00 2.0
05:00 – 06:00 1.0
06:00 – 07:00 0.3
5.2.22 It can be seen that the predicted impacts range from +0.3 to +4.6 dB during a
single delivery. During two deliveries the impacts would range from +0.6 to +6.8 dB.
5.2.23 During the night-time the predicted LAmax noise level is mostly in excess of the
measured noise levels. The differences range from 0.8 dB above the measured level to
8.2 dB below (discounting an atypically low LAmax measured at 02:30 hours).
5.2.24 Mitigation measures are set out in Section 8.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 11
15. 6 Fixed Plant Items
6.1.1 The proposals include external fixed plant items located to the rear of the store
such as air conditioning units. At this stage, there are no details such as type and noise
emission level for these items of plant. It is therefore appropriate to set an overall plant
noise limit in accordance with British Standard 4142: 1997 Method for rating industrial
noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas and RBWM’s standard planning
condition EH101 Noise Emission Control, as set out in paragraph 3.1.2.
6.1.2 The measured background noise levels (LA90) at Position 1 to the rear of the
store have been analysed to obtain the lowest one hour daytime (07:00 to 23:00 hours)
level and the lowest five minute night-time (23:00 to 07:00 hours) noise level. These
levels are set out in Table 6.1 below.
Table 6.1 Lowest Measured Background Noise Levels, dB,
Position Time Period Lowest LA90
Daytime (07:00 to 23:00 hours) 37
1 – Rear of the Store
Night-time (23:00 to 07:00 hours) 27
6.1.3 The following plant noise limits have been derived considering the lowest
measured noise levels presented above the requirements of planning condition EH101.
Table 6.2 Plant Noise Limits, dB,
Position Time Period Plant Noise Limit LAr,T
Noise-sensitive Daytime (07:00 to 23:00 hours) 27
receptors Night-time (23:00 to 07:00 hours) 17
6.1.4 The plant noise limit is set as a rating level which includes a +5 dB correction
where the noise contains a "distinguishable discrete continuous note (whine, hiss,
screech, hum etc.)” or if there are “distinct impulses (bangs, clicks, clatters or thumps)”,
or if “the noise is irregular enough to attract attention".
6.1.5 Note that the noise limit applies to the cumulative plant noise and that
individual items may need to be designed to achieve a lower level such that the overall
noise limit is not exceeded.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 12
16. 7 Car Park Noise Levels
7.1.1 RBWM has requested that the potential noise impact from use of the front and
rear car park is assessed. WSP Development and Transportation has stated that the
front car park will be used intensively by customers and the rear car park will be used
much less.
7.1.2 Based on information from WSP Development and Transportation it is
understood that during the peak hour there will be 70 two-way movements to the front
car park and 15 two-way movements to the rear car park. The peak hour is 18:00 to
19:00 with a similar level of traffic likely to occur between 16:00 and 18:00 hours and
also between 12:00 and 13:00 on a Saturday.
7.1.3 In calculating the noise level from the use of the car park, a number of
component activities have been considered, as follows:
vehicle manoeuvring into car parking space;
car door slam – driver;
car door slam – passenger; and
vehicle starting up and pulling away.
7.1.4 The calculations also include gaps between the noise-generating activities for
example where the customers are in the store.
7.1.5 The closest noise-sensitive receptors to the rear car park are the dwellings on
Willow Close, off Courthouse Road to the south of the site. The dwellings themselves
are approximately 20 metres from the closest area of the car park. The primary gardens
to these dwellings back on to the car park and are at a distance of approximately
10 metres.
7.1.6 The most exposed property on Furze Platt Road is No. 66 at a distance of 35
metres from the front car parking area. The on-site flat has also been considered.
7.1.7 The planning conditions set out in Section 3 of this report do not apply to car
park noise; condition EH101 references BS 4142 which is for industrial noise and
condition EH107 relates to vehicle deliveries. It is therefore considered appropriate to
assess the noise levels generated by the use of the car park against the existing
ambient noise levels for the off-site receptors. For the on-site flat the absolute noise
levels generated by the use of the front car park has been considered.
7.1.8 The on-site and off-site dwellings have been assessed separately, as in
Section 5.
ON-SITE DWELLING
7.1.9 The predicted peak hour car park noise level at the on-site flat is
56.1 dB LAeq,1hour.
7.1.10 Mitigation measures are set out in Section 8.
OFF-SITE DWELLINGS
Willow Close
7.1.11 There is a fence between the car parking area at the rear of the store and the
dwellings on Willow Close which is unlikely to have any significant acoustic properties
and, as such, has been assumed not to attenuate the car park noise levels.
7.1.12 The predicted peak hour car park noise levels at Willow Close are
42.5 dB LAeq,1hour and 63.7 dB LAmax.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 13
17. 7.1.13 There are gardens to these dwellings adjacent to the car park where the
predicted peak hour car park noise level will be 48.5 dB LAeq,1hour.
7.1.14 The ambient noise levels measured at Position 1 (at the rear of the store) are
considered representative of the noise climate at Willow Close.
7.1.15 During the peak hours the increase in ambient noise level in the garden of the
Willow Close properties is 1.6 to 2.6 dB.
7.1.16 No mitigation measures are considered necessary.
66 Furze Platt Road
7.1.17 The predicted peak hour car park noise levels at 66 Furze Platt Road are
44.3 dB LAeq,1hour and 58.8 dB LAmax.
7.1.18 The existing daytime ambient noise levels at 66 Furze Platt Road have been
derived from the measured levels at Position 2. The LAeq,1hour values range from 60 to
68 dB and the LAmax values range from 72 to 95 dB.
7.1.19 It can be seen that the existing ambient noise levels (LAeq) are more than 10 dB
higher than the predicted car park noise levels therefore the car park noise levels will not
result in any significant increase in the ambient noise levels.
7.1.20 The existing LAmax noise levels are also higher than those predicted during the
use of the car park.
7.1.21 No mitigation measures are considered necessary.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 14
18. 8 Mitigation Measures
8.1 EARLY MORNING DELIVERY NOISE
ON-SITE RECEPTOR
8.1.1 The predicted noise levels at the closest window of the first floor on-site flat to
the delivery area during two simultaneous deliveries are 62 dB LAeq,45minutes and 88 dB
LAFmax. At the other window in the eastern façade of the flat (11 metres from the delivery
area) the predicted noise levels are 52 dB LAeq,45minutes and 84 dB LAmax which is due to
the lorry arrival.
8.1.2 BS8233 suggests that an internal noise level of LAeq,T 30 dB within bedrooms is
a ‘good’ standard, whilst LAeq,T 35 dB is a ‘reasonable’ standard. BS 8233 also states that
individual noise events should not normally exceed LAFmax 45 dB in bedrooms at night.
8.1.3 It can be seen that the glazing and ventilation specification for the bedroom will
be dictated by the LAmax noise level.
8.1.4 Assuming that there are currently standard thermal double glazed windows in
the eastern façade of the on-site flat, secondary glazing should be provided to the
habitable rooms to increase the sound insulation performance. This system should be
designed to achieve a minimum sound insulation of 45 dB.
8.1.5 Note that ventilation requirements should also be considered and that air bricks
are likely to be required as a minimum.
8.1.6 The above measures are only applicable should the flat become occupied.
OFF-SITE RECEPTORS
8.1.7 The assessment presented in Section 5.2 shows that during a single depot
delivery predicted noise levels are up to 4.6 dB LAeq,45minutes above the existing ambient
noise levels. The LAmax noise levels during a depot delivery are mostly above the
measured levels and are primarily caused by the use of roll cages with metal wheels.
8.1.8 The greatest impacts are identified at 66 Furze Platt Road where the bedroom
windows have a clear view to the unloading area.
8.1.9 The following limitations to the delivery schedule should be considered:
No depot deliveries should occur between the hours of 02:00 and 04:00.
Where simultaneous deliveries are necessary, this should not include a
depot HGV.
Roll cages with rubber wheels should be used if practicable. Where this is
not possible, to minimise noise from roll cage movements between the HGV
and the store, it is recommended that a smooth surface is provided (e.g.
polished concrete).
Simultaneous deliveries should not take place between the hours of 00:00
and 04:00.
8.1.10 The above measures would result in no increases to the ambient noise level of
more than 3 dB.
8.1.11 With the above measures in place, the LAmax noise level would be generated by
the lorry arriving at the site. The predicted and existing LAmax noise levels are shown in
Appendix E. From the graph that shows the highest LAmax level during a single depot
delivery, it can be seen that the existing LAmax levels are mostly below the predicted level
between midnight and 02:00 hours. It is therefore recommended that no deliveries
should occur during this time.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 15
19. 8.1.12 To summarise, it is recommended that deliveries do not occur between
midnight and 04:00 hours. This applies to a single delivery or two simultaneous
deliveries. It should however be noted that this assessment is based on a worst-case
scenario where the lowest ambient noise levels were used whilst the predicted noise
levels allow for HGV articulated lorry movements (i.e. a Sainsbury’s depot delivery).
8.2 DAYTIME CAR PARK NOISE
ON-SITE RECEPTOR
8.2.1 The predicted one hour car park noise level at the on-site flat during the peak
hour is 56.1 dB LAeq,1hour.
8.2.2 The sound insulation performance of a standard thermal double glazed unit is
25 dB which would result in an internal noise level of 31 dB LAeq.
8.2.3 BS8233 suggests an internal noise level of LAeq,T 30 dB as a ‘good’ standard
and LAeq,T 40 dB as being a ‘reasonable’ standard. Therefore the use of a standard
thermal double glazed unit for a living room in the façade overlooking the front car park
is considered sufficient to meet the internal noise criteria above.
8.2.4 Internal noise levels should be considered in the context of room ventilation
requirements. The target internal noise levels will only be achieved when windows are
closed. An alternative means of ventilation will therefore be required to comply with the
requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document F.
8.2.5 The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has published an Information
Paper on the acoustic performance of such passive ventilation systems. IP4/99:
Ventilators: Ventilation and Acoustic Effectiveness (October 1999) details a study into
the sound reduction performance of fourteen different window mounted trickle ventilators
and seven different through-wall passive ventilators. The measured sound reduction
performance, after taking into account flanking sound paths (i.e. sound paths that do not
travel directly through the vent) and the effective area of the ventilator, ranged from 14 to
46dB.
8.2.6 Passive vents are available that meet or exceed the sound reduction required
by the glazing elements. The use of acoustically treated passive vents is therefore
considered suitable.
8.2.7 As stated above, these measures are only applicable should the flat become
occupied.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 16
20. 9 Best Practice Measures
9.1.1 It is considered appropriate to set out best practice measures to minimise the
likelihood of complaint and for Sainsbury’s to be a good neighbour. The measures below
should be followed, where practicable.
Sainsbury’s lorries are fitted with a GPS tracking system that alerts stores to
the impending arrival of the vehicle in order to minimise the time that a lorry
might have to spend in the car parking area. This would allow for one delivery
to be made at a time. It is, however, imperative that any lorries waiting off-site
do not wait in residential areas causing disturbance to other local residents.
Where possible, only one HGV should be unloaded at any time. Vehicles
waiting to be unloaded should not have their engines or refrigeration units
running whilst on site.
All refrigeration units should be switched off prior to arriving on-site and should
not be switched back on until after leaving the site (and preferably the
surrounding residential areas).
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 17
21. 10 Conclusions
10.1.1 WSP Acoustics has undertaken a baseline survey to determine the likely
acceptability in noise terms of heavy goods vehicle deliveries, fixed plant items and the
use of the customer car park at the proposed Sainsbury’s Local store on Furze Platt
Road in Maidenhead.
10.1.2 The baseline survey has shown that existing levels are typical for a town centre
location with both LAeq and LAmax levels remaining fairly high during the night-time.
10.1.3 An assessment has shown that there are periods of the night-time (from 00:00
to 04:00 hours) when the ambient (LAeq) and/or maximum (LAmax) level is such that
impacts during heavy goods vehicle deliveries will be unacceptable. It has been
recommended that these periods are avoided.
10.1.4 The noise levels generated during deliveries has also been assessed at the
first floor on-site flat which is currently unoccupied. Mitigation measures in the form of
glazing and ventilation specifications have been recommended and are only relevant
should the flat be occupied.
10.1.5 Details of the fixed plant items associated with the proposed store are not
available at this stage therefore plant noise limits have been set.
10.1.6 The use of the customer car parks has been assessed and is not predicted to
cause an impact.
10.1.7 To conclude, it is considered that by employing the recommended mitigation
and best practice measures detailed within the report, the proposed development should
not cause an unacceptable noise impact at surrounding residential receptors.
10.1.8 Limitations to this report are shown in Appendix F.
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 18
22. Appendix A Glossary of Technical Terms
A-WEIGHTING
The human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies of sound. It is relatively much
less sensitive to very low frequencies such as 'mains hum', and to very high frequencies
such as the call of a bat, than to the 'mid-frequencies' important for human voice
communication. In order to make sound level meters, which would otherwise be
indiscriminate in registering sound pressures, respond in a way which reflects human
perception of sound, they usually are fitted with a set of filters to progressively filter out
the high and low frequency energy. The filters are made to an internationally
standardised specification and the filtered noise level is said to be 'A-weighted'.
Sometimes A-weighted decibel levels are denoted 'dB(A)', but the correct, internationally
standardised format for reporting requires the 'A' to be appended to the noise descriptor
e.g. LAeq,T, LAmax, etc.
AIRBORNE SOUND
Sound transmitted through the air rather than through the structure of a building or the
ground.
AMBIENT NOISE
This is the totally encompassing sound at the measurement position over a specified
time interval and usually comprises sound from many different sources both near and
far.
ATTENUATION
A general term used to indicate the reduction of noise or vibration, or the amount (in
decibels) by which it is reduced.
AVERAGING
In the absence of a dominant steady source, the sound level at a point, indoors or
outdoors, varies continuously. For example, the variation may be over a few dB about
an average value in a quiet room, or over 10 dB or more in a noisy outdoor environment.
In order to define a level to represent the noisiness of the space it is necessary to define
that average value. The most common averaging methods are energy averaging (LAeq)
and statistical averaging (LAN where N is a percentage between 1 and 100).
BACKGROUND NOISE LEVEL, LA90,T
Background noise level is a term used to describe that level to which the noise falls
during quiet spells, when there is lull in passing traffic for example. It is quantified by the
LA90,T which is the noise level that is exceeded for 90% of the measurement time interval,
T.
DECIBELS
Noise conventionally is measured in decibels (dB). The decibel is a logarithmic unit and
decibel levels do not add and subtract arithmetically. An increase or decrease of 3 dB in
the level of a steady noise is about the smallest that is noticeable. It represents a
doubling or halving of noise energy. An increase or decrease of 10 dB represents a ten-
fold change in noise energy, and is perceived as a doubling or halving of loudness.
The threshold of hearing for a typical young, healthy adult is 0 dB A-weighted sound
pressure level. A noise level of 140 dB(A) can cause physical pain. Most people listen
to their televisions at about 60 to 65 dB(A). Alongside a busy main road the ambient
noise level may be in the 70 to 80 dB(A) range; on a quiet day in the country it might be
as low as 30 dB, in town 40 to 50 dB(A).
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 19
23. DECIBEL ADDITION
If two similar noise sources operate together their combined noise level at an observer's
position some distance away is 3 dB higher than the noise level generated by just one of
them. If two further machines are switched on the noise level generated by all four at
the observer's position is 3 dB higher than the level generated by the two. If the number
of machines is again doubled, to eight, the noise level increases by another 3 dB, and so
on.
EQUIVALENT CONTINUOUS A-WEIGHTED SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL,
LAeq,T
The 'equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level' is an average of the
fluctuating sound energy in a space. It is the value of the A-weighted sound pressure
level of a continuous, steady sound that, over the specified time period, T seconds, has
the same root mean square sound pressure as the varying sound. It can be likened to
the mean petrol consumption of a car over a specific journey during which the
instantaneous consumption peaked during periods of acceleration and fell during periods
of coasting or braking.
FAÇADE SOUND LEVELS
Road and railway traffic noise levels often are specified in terms of the sound level at a
position 1 m in front of the most exposed façade of potentially noise sensitive premises.
Such levels are assumed to be 3 dB(A) higher than sound levels measured at an
equivalent position away from the reflections from the building and any other surfaces
(excluding the ground).
FREE-FIELD SOUND LEVELS
The free-field refers to sound level measurement positions in an open area well away
from any buildings or other sound reflecting surfaces other than the ground. Generally
the minimum distance from building facades for free-field measurements is taken to be
3.5 m.
MAXIMUM SOUND LEVEL, LAmax
This is the maximum instantaneous sound level occurring during the measurement
period. Because of the standardised response time characteristics of the sound level
meter a LAmax level measured on Slow response normally will be a lower value than the
same noise measured using Fast response.
In cases where the sound level in a single 1/3 octave band is at least 5 dB higher than
the level in the frequency band on either side of it, this may be an indication of tonal
character in a noise (clause 4.1.3 of BS 7445:Part 2:1991).
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 20
24. Appendix B Site and Surrounding Area
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 21
26. Appendix C List of Equipment
Date of Next
Position Equipment Manufacturer and Type Serial Number
Calibration
Sound Level Meter 01dB-Stell Solo Master 11750
1 Pre-amplifier 01dB-Stell PRE 21 S 12309 25 May 2012
Microtech Gefell GmbH
Microphone 61802
MCE212
Sound Level Meter 01dB-Stell Solo Master 10705
2 Pre-amplifier 01dB-Stell PRE 21 S 11464 16 March 2012
Microtech Gefell GmbH
Microphone 59725
MCE212
Sound Level Meter B&K Type 2250 2463189
3 Pre-amplifier Brüel & Kjær Type ZC 0032 2658 20 January 2011
Microphone Brüel & Kjær 4189 24577838
15806 Furze Platt, Maidenhead 23
