Southdowns Environmental Consultants Ltd services

Southdowns’ consultants have contemporary expertise on the development and application of methodologies and criteria for the assessment of noise and vibration impacts. We can provide comprehensive noise and vibration assessments in accordance with policies and standards at International, European, National or Local Authority levels. Staff have worked as part of multi-disciplinary EIA teams on numerous projects and are familiar with the constraints and inter-disciplinary interests involved in major developments.

National noise policy for planning purposes is set-out in PPG 24 ‘Planning and Noise’. This planning policy guidance note provides local authorities in England with advice on the preparation of development plans and the determination of planning applications where noise is a material consideration. It also provides guidance on the assessment of ambient noise at the sites of proposed residential development, as well as the assessment of noise from new and potentially noisy developments on existing sensitive receivers and resources.  Southdowns has prepared numerous technical reports in support of successful planning applications for residential, industrial, commercial and leisure developments of various sizes, as well as many road and railway schemes.

Southdowns advises promoters, developers, contractors and Local Authorities on likely construction noise and vibration impacts and comprehensive management strategies. Consultants have extensive experience in preparing and negotiating prior consent for works under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and in advising Local Authorities on suitable consent conditions on particularly high profile and sensitive construction projects.

Airborne noise generated during the construction and operation of Recycling and Waste Management (RWM) facilities can cause disturbance and loss of amenity when located in the vicinity of residential areas and other noise sensitive resources. Regulatory authorities and operators of RWM facilities must ensure, therefore, that the requirements of relevant legislation and guidance are complied with and that reasonable measures are used to minimise any noise impacts as part of the environmental management of existing sites and proposals for new development.