Proposed Lidl Food Store West Hendford Yeovil Environmental Noise Report for Planning Reference: 6087/BL/pw October 2015
2 Proposed Lidl Food Store, West Hendford, Yeovil Environmental Noise Report for Planning Client Architect Noise & Acoustic Consultant Lidl UK GmbH Locking Castle Business Park West Wick Weston super Mare BS24 7TG One Design Architectural Services Ltd Bay House 93 Browgate Baildon Shipley Bradford West Yorkshire BD17 6BY Raleigh House Wellsway Keynsham Bristol BS31 1HS Prepared By Checked By Blake Lucas BEng. (Hons), MIOA Daniel Oldaker BSc. (Hons), MIOA Issue Number Date 1 st Issue 7 th July 2015 Revision A 4 th September 2015 Revision B 30 th October 2015 2
3 Proposed Lidl Food Store, West Hendford, Yeovil Environmental Noise Report for Planning INDEX PAGE 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Proposed Scheme 4 3.0 Assessment Criteria 5 4.0 Noise Measurements 8 5.0 Plant Noise Emission 11 6.0 Delivery Operation Noise Emission 15 7.0 Limitations 16 8.0 Summary and Conclusions 16 3
4 1.0 INTRODUCTION Lidl appointed to undertake a noise survey and an environmental noise assessment for the proposed Lidl Food Store development in support of a planning application. This report is based on the information and layout contained on the One Design Architectural Services Limited drawings entitled Proposed Site Plan with the drawing number 14069 AD 110 and dated October 2015. This report provides noise predictions and a British Standard 4142:2014 noise assessment for the plant associated with the Lidl Food Store on the nearby sensitive receivers around the store. The report also provides an assessment of deliveries. The author of this report is a Full Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA) with a recognised acoustic qualification and over eight years experience within the field of noise and acoustics and as such is suitably qualified and experienced to undertake a British Standard 4142:2014 assessment. The report has been prepared in good faith, with all reasonable skill and care, based on information provided or available at the time of its preparation and within the scope of work agreement with the Client. We disclaim any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above. 2.0 PROPOSED SCHEME The proposal is for a Lidl Food Store located on the vacant site at the junction of West Hendford and Lysander Road. The site lies between a large industrial facility to the west, and a retail park to the south on the opposite side of the busy A3088. To the north lies Seaton Mews, a small new housing development, while further small industrial/commercial units occupy the plots to the north east. The plant associated with the Lidl Food Store will be located on the north eastern elevation of the store behind the delivery bay and will operate 24 hours a day according to demand. The most sensitive receivers, in terms of plant and delivery noise, are the aforementioned residential properties in Seaton Mews (R1) approximately 25 metres away from the proposed plant and delivery bay location. All other residential dwellings are either at a further distance away from the plant and delivery bay, or subject to other, greater sources of noise. 4
5 3.0 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 3.1 National Planning Policy Framework The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in March 2012 and replaces Planning Policy Guidance Document 24. This is a significantly shortened document. Section 11 entitled Conserving and enhancing the natural environment addresses noise as a requirement of planning. Paragraph 109 states: 109. The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Paragraph 123 states: 123. Planning policies and decisions should aim to: avoid noise from giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life as a result of new development; mitigate and reduce to a minimum other adverse impacts on health and quality of life arising from noise from new development, including through the use of conditions; recognise that development will often create some noise and existing businesses wanting to develop in continuance of their business should not have unreasonable restrictions put on them because of changes in nearby land uses since they were established; and identify and protect areas of tranquillity which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason. The document does not prescribe any assessment methodology or criteria to assess the adverse affect of noise. 3.2 Noise Policy Statement for England The NPPF refers to the Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE). This was published in March 2010 by DEFRA and aims to provide clarity regarding current policies and practices to enable noise management decisions to be made within the wider context, at the most appropriate level, in a cost effective manner and in a timely fashion. It applies to all forms of noise including environmental noise, neighbour noise and neighbourhood noise. 5
6 The NPSE introduces the concept of Significant Adverse and Adverse impacts of noise. These are applied as follows: NOEL 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. LOAEL 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. SOAEL Significant Observed Adverse Effect Level This is the level of noise exposure above which significant adverse effects on health and quality of life occur. The NPSE does not provide any assessment criteria for the noted effect levels. 3.3 National Planning Practice Guidance, Noise The National Planning Practice Guidance on noise referred to here is based on the 6 th March 2014 update, as provided on the Planning Guidance Website. It states that Noise needs to be considered when new developments may create additional noise and when new developments would be sensitive to the prevailing acoustic environment. When preparing local or neighbourhood plans, or taking decisions about new development, there may also be opportunities to consider improvements to the acoustic environment. It provides generic guidance on how to determine the noise impact and what factors could be a concern. It includes the option types to mitigate any adverse effects of noise, stating that there are four broad types of mitigation. These are: engineering; layout; using planning conditions or obligations; and noise insulation. 6
7 3.4 British Standard 4142:2014 The British Standard 4142:2014 entitled "Method for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound" was published on the 31 st October 2014 and replaced British Standard 4142:1997. The methods described in the British Standard use outdoor sound levels to assess the likely effects of sound on people who might be inside or outside a dwelling or premises used for residential purposes upon. The principle is that of establishing the difference between the rating level and the background noise level. The rating level is the specific noise level of the source over a period of one hour during the day (07:00 to 23:00 hours) and over a period of 15 minutes during the night (23:00 to 07:00 hours). Section 9 entitled Rating Level states: Certain acoustic features can increase the significance of impact over that expected from a basic comparison between the specific sound level and the background sound level. Where such features are present at the assessment location, add a character correction to the specific sound level to obtain the rating level. An acoustic character correction should be added to the specific noise level if the specific noise level exhibits any tonality, impulsivity, other specific characteristics and/or intermittency at the assessment location. The value of the character correction varies, dependent on the prominence of the character of the noise source at the assessment location. In Section 11 of the Standard, under Assessment of the Impacts, it states: Obtain an initial estimate of the impact of the specific sound by subtracting the measured background sound level (see Clause 8) from the rating level (see Clause 9), 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. As such, where the assessed difference is of 0 db or less, the impact is likely to be low, depending on the context. 7
8 4.0 NOISE MEASUREMENTS 4.1 Monitoring Equipment Sound Pressure Levels were measured using a Brüel & Kjær Sound Level Meter with a half inch condenser microphone using the "fast" setting. The equipment is checked annually using a Quality System meeting the requirements of British Standard EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and in accordance with British Standard EN 10012:2003 and traceable to the National Standards. This equipment was checked and calibrated as noted below and the certificates are available for inspection. Table 1: Monitoring Equipment Equipment Description / Manufacturer / Type Serial number Date of calibration Calibration Certification Number Sound Level Meter, B & K Type 2250 D 2671994 21/04/15 K140528 Pre Amplifier, B & K, Type ZC0032 10385 21/04/15 K140528 Microphone, B & K, Type 4189 2656141 21/04/15 K140528 Sound Level Calibrator Type 4231 2665006 21/04/15 K139741 The measuring systems were checked for calibration before and after the tests which gave a drift of 0.04 db. However this drift is not significant enough to affect any of the results. 4.2 Meteorological Conditions During the daytime monitoring, conditions were dry, with one okta cloud cover and a south south westerly wind of approximately four metres per second. The air temperature was 20 degrees centigrade. The conditions during night time monitoring were dry, with an air temperature of approximately 17 degrees centigrade, virtually no wind and a clear sky. In both cases, these conditions are not expected to have any adverse effect on the measured levels. 4.3 Monitoring Procedure An assessment to British Standard 4142 requires that the "Background Sound Level", typical for the area, be established. The plant operates 24 hours a day according to demand. As such, a daytime and night time noise monitoring exercise was carried out to determine the baseline noise conditions around the site. Noise monitoring was undertaken between 15:30 and 17:45 hours on the 29 th June 2015 at Locations A and C, and between 23:00 on the 29 th June 2015 and 00:00 on the 30 th June 2015 at Location B. Noise monitoring was undertaken in accordance with British Standard 4142:2014. 8
9 The monitoring locations are as shown on Figure 1 below. Figure 1: Monitoring Locations Monitoring location A was selected to provide a representative sample of the noise generated by the busy A3088 road. It was approximately 85 metres from the proposed plant and delivery bay location. The measurement position was in front of a brick wall approximately 2.0 metres in height. Location A was a in a façade position. Monitoring location B was outside the most sensitive residential properties at Seaton Mews (R1), to the north of the site and approximately 25 metres away from the proposed plant and delivery bay location. The measurement position was in front of a brick wall approximately 1.5 metres in height. This monitoring location is considered representative of the most sensitive receivers around the site. Location B was a in a façade position. 9
10 Monitoring location C was selected to capture the noise levels generated by road traffic on West Hendford and by the plant noise from the industrial site opposite. This was around 38 metres from the proposed plant and delivery bay location, at least five metres from any reflective surface (other than the ground) and in a freefield position. The measured baseline noise levels were determined primarily by road traffic, which is especially high on the dual carriageway A3088, but also significant on West Hendford. Both are intermittent, according to the operation of the traffic lights at the adjacent junction. Plant noise from the site to the north west was intermittent and distinguishable but not considered significant. Plant noise from this site was audible during both the day and night time periods. 4.4 Measured Data The measured data consists of the Equivalent Noise Level (L Aeq,15min ), and Background Noise Level (L A90,15min ) in db (A). The results are provided below. Table 2: Measured Noise Levels Location C A* B* Start Time (hh:mm:ss) Period (hh:mm:ss) L AFmax (db) L Aeq,15min (db) (db) 15:30:00 00:15:00 78 67 54 15:45:00 00:15:00 85 68 55 16:00:00 00:15:00 87 70 62 16:15:00 00:15:00 85 69 58 16:45:00 00:15:00 102 78 62 17:00:00 00:15:00 95 76 62 17:15:00 00:15:00 94 76 60 17:30:00 00:15:00 95 77 62 23:00:00 00:15:00 79 60 41 23:15:00 00:15:00 77 58 39 23:30:00 00:15:00 75 57 39 23:45:00 00:15:00 76 55 39 L A90,15min * The measured levels at Location A and B are façade levels, to determine the free field level 3 db has been subtracted from the measurement data. The measured levels at Locations B C are considered representative of the noisesensitive receivers in the area. The typical measured free field background sound level representative of the noise sensitive receivers is: Night time is 36 db L A90 (15 minutes). Daytime is 54 db L A90 (1 hour). 10
11 5.0 PLANT NOISE EMISSION 5.1 Proposed Plant The plant is to be located on the north eastern elevation of the store behind the delivery bay at three metres above the ground. The air conditioning plant operates during store opening hours only, i.e. the daytime period; the bakery and refrigeration plant operates 24 hours a day. The following table provides a schedule of the proposed plant along with the individual unit sound pressure level at a given distance in a hemispherical free field. The noise data is taken directly from the manufacturer s noise data as supplied by Lidl. Table 3: Proposed Plant Plant Type Manufacturer Model Number Quantity Individual Unit Sound Pressure Level L Aeq(T) Refrigeration Basetec GFV 080.3A/3 L(S) F6/4P 1 42 db at 10 metres Bakery Rivacold Deutschland THCL145Z ZF13 EVI 1 41 db at 10 metres Air conditioning Mitsubishi FDC200VS 1 57 db at 1 metre Air conditioning Mitsubishi FDC250VS 2 58 db at 1 metre Air conditioning Mitsubishi FDC112KXEN6 1 54 db at 1 metre Any alternative plant should have an equal or lower noise emission level (db) in a hemispherical free field. 5.2 Predicted Noise Level Plant noise levels at the nearby residential properties have been predicted based on the plant noise levels and distance correction of a point source. The most sensitive residential properties are to the north of the site at Seaton Mews (R1) and are approximately 20 to 30 metres away from the proposed plant and location. The noise sources will include reflections off the store building which will increase the noise emission level by about 3 db. The following table provides the corrections to the stated manufacturer s noise levels to determine plant noise levels at the nearby residential properties. 11
12 Table 4: Predicted Daytime Plant Specific Sound levels at R1 Plant Unit Manufacturers Sound Pressure Level L Aeq(T) Distance Correction To R1 Reflection Predicted Level at R1 L Aeq (1 hour) Refrigeration Plant 42 db(a) @ 10m 8 db +3 db 37 db(a) FDC200VS 57 db(a) @ 1m 28 db +3 db 32 db(a) FDC250VS 58 db(a) @ 1m 28 db +3 db 33 db(a) FDC250VS 58 db(a) @ 1m 28 db +3 db 33 db(a) FDC112KXEN6 54 db(a) @ 1m 28 db +3 db 29 db(a) Bakery Plant 41 db(a) @ 10m 8 db +3 db 36 db(a) This results in a predicted cumulative free field specific noise level of 42 db L Aeq (1 hour) at R1. Table 5: Predicted Night time Plant Specific Sound levels at R1 Plant Unit Manufacturers Sound Pressure Level L Aeq(T) Distance Correction To R1 Reflection Predicted Level at R1 L Aeq (15 minutes) Refrigeration Plant 42 db(a) @ 10m 8 db +3 db 37 db(a) Bakery Plant 41 db(a) @ 10m 8 db +3 db 36 db(a) This results in a predicted cumulative free field specific noise level of 40 db L Aeq (15 minutes) at R1. 5.3 Plant Noise Assessment The plant will operate on a 24 hour basis according to demand. A daytime and nighttime British Standard 4142:2014 assessment has been undertaken at the sensitive receivers around the site. The sensitive receivers are the properties at Seaton Mews. These dwellings do not have any external amenity areas overlooking the site, so the most sensitive location is internally within the dwellings. The measured design free field background sound levels are: 54 db L A90 (1 hour) daytime; and 36 db L A90 (15min) night time. We have determined a free field plant specific sound level at the most exposed façade of the sensitive receiver R1 of: 12
13 42 db L Aeq (1 hour) daytime; and 40 db L Aeq (15min) night time. The character of the plant is unknown, and it is not possible to determine whether a character correction should be applied to the plant specific noise level at this stage. The supplier should ensure that the plant is selected to ensure any intermittency, tonality, impulsivity and any other sound characteristics are not clearly distinguishable at the noise sensitive receivers. Therefore the British Standard 4142:2014 assessment (without a character correction applied) is as follows. Table 6: British Standard 4142:2014 Assessment Parameter Daytime Night time Background Level, L A90 T 54 db 36 db Specific Noise Level, L Aeq T 42 db 40 db Acoustic Character Correction +0 db +0 db Rating Level 42 db 40 db Excess of rating over background level 12 db +4 db This means that the plant rating noise level will result in a British Standard 4142:2014 assessment difference of 12 decibels at the receiver R1 during the daytime period. As such it is indicated that daytime noise from the plant will be of a low impact on the noise sensitive receivers in the area. The difference between the rating level and background noise level is 12 decibels and as such the uncertainty in the daytime measurements and assessment will not have a significant impact to the outcome of the assessment. The plant rating noise level will result in a British Standard 4142:2014 assessment difference of +4 decibels at the receiver R1 during the night time period. As such it is indicated that night time noise from the plant will be of an adverse impact on the noise sensitive receivers in the area and as such mitigation measures are necessary. 5.4 Mitigation Measures We would advise that the plant rating level should not exceed the background sound level at the sensitive receivers around the site. The following table provides the required sound reduction for each item of nighttime plant to ensure the background sound level is not exceeded. 13
14 The table also includes the maximum noise emission level at a set distance (L Aeq (short term) at 1 metre in a hemispherical free field) for each unit to meet the criteria. The selected plant should achieve the following criteria. Table 7: Maximum Plant Noise Criteria Plant Requiring Mitigation Required Noise Reduction db Maximum Equivalent Noise Level at 10 metres db L Aeq(short term) Bakery Freezer Plant 8 33 Refrigeration plant 9 33 To achieve a sound reduction of this magnitude, we recommend installing an acoustic fence around the plant. The plant itself should be located at ground level, while the fence should be of at least 3 metres in height, and have a density of not less than ten kilogrammes per metre squared. Furthermore, it must be specified to have a sound absorbent liner (Class A absorber) to the inner face. The position of the fence is shown in Figure 2; it should form an envelope around the plant, between the store building and the site boundary. It should be noted that if the plant is installed in another location, this may affect the predicted noise levels. Figure 2: Location of Acoustic Fence (in yellow) 14
15 With plant meeting the sound reduction stated above, the British Standard 4142:2014 difference at the most noise sensitive residential properties R1 (with a +6 db character correction) is 16 db during the day and 0 db during the night. As such it is indicated that noise from the plant would be of a low impact on the noise sensitive receivers in the area. It should be noted that the above assessment does not account for the character of the plant, and the supplier should therefore specify plant such that any tonality, intermittency, impulsivity or other sound characteristics are not clearly distinguishable at the noise sensitive receivers. 6.0 DELIVERY OPERATION NOISE EMISSION Our understanding of the delivery operation is as follows. Each vehicle includes a refrigerated section with condensing unit, which can normally be turned off during the delivery operation. The vehicle arrives on site and reverses up to the enclosed loading bay dock. The engine is then turned off and the goods are moved internally from the trailer into the store. The goods are mostly on pallets and an electric pallet truck is used. The operation takes place internally and the vehicle departs after about one hour. The delivery vehicle will enter the site and drive southwards within the car park, parallel to the store building. The vehicle will then reverse, turning through 90 o, parallel to the north west façade of the building, down the sunken loading bay entrance. When the vehicle enters the site it is proposed that all reversing beepers are turned off. For a large part of the reversing operation the trailer will create a barrier between the noise generating engine of the lorry and the noise sensitive residential properties. It is advised to install a 1.8 metre acoustic fence along the length of the delivery bay to reduce noise from the lorry engine and brakes. It is advised that consideration is made to providing adequate lighting designed specifically to assist the driver of the vehicle when reversing into the loading bay. This will reduce the need for additional manoeuvring. Once the delivery is complete, the orientation of the loading bay is such that the vehicle can exit the site directly without the need for further significant manoeuvring, thus reducing the time and noise generated on site. 15
16 7.0 LIMITATIONS The report limits itself to addressing solely on the noise control and acoustic aspects as included in this report. We provide advice only in relation to noise and acoustics. The report has been prepared in good faith, with all reasonable skill and care, based on information provided or available at the time of its preparation and within the scope of work agreement with the Client. We disclaim any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above. The report is provided for the sole use of the named Client and is confidential to them and their professional advisors. No responsibility is accepted to other parties. It should be noted that noise predictions are based on the current information as we understand it and on the performances noted in this report. Any modification to these parameters can alter the predicted level. All predictions are in any event subject to a degree of tolerance of normally plus or minus three decibels. If this tolerance is not acceptable, then it would be necessary to consider further measures. 8.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Lidl appointed to undertake a noise survey and an environmental noise assessment for the proposed Lidl Food Store development in support of a planning application. A noise survey was undertaken to determine the existing baseline noise climate. This report provides noise predictions and a British Standard 4142:2014 noise assessment for the plant and deliveries associated with the Lidl Food Store on the nearby sensitive receivers around the store. Plant noise levels at the nearest noise sensitive residential properties have been predicted and a British Standard 4142:2014 assessment undertaken. The British Standard 4142 assessment difference has been determined to be +4 decibels at the receiver R1 during worst case time and as such noise mitigation measures have been recommended. The mitigation measures include enclosing the plant in an acoustic barrier which will reduce the plant specific sound level by at least 4 db. With plant enclosed in an acoustic barrier the predicted assessment difference has been determined to be 0 decibels at the receiver R1 during worst case time and as such considered acceptable in terms of BS 4142:2014. Advice is provided to minimise noise emission from delivery activities. This includes the use of an acoustic barrier along the edge of the loading bay ramp. 16
17 In environmental noise terms (affecting the residential premises in the vicinity) the proposals are considered acceptable in terms of delivery and plant noise emission to the dwellings in the vicinity, provided that the noise mitigation measures are followed. 17