In today’s planning environment, noise is no longer an afterthought—it’s a critical part of ensuring developments are both sustainable and suitable for their surroundings. Whether you’re planning a new housing estate or a commercial building near a transport corridor, professional noise assessments are essential.
This blog explains what noise assessments involve, when it’s required, and how it supports successful outcomes for residential and commercial developments across the UK.
What Is a Noise Assessment?
Noise assessments evaluate how environmental noise affects a proposed development—or how a development might introduce new noise to surrounding areas. It’s often a required component of planning submissions, especially in noise-sensitive or built-up locations.
At Hawkins Environmental, our noise assessments for planning follow UK standards, including BS8233, ProPG: Planning & Noise, and local authority policies. These assessments are vital for demonstrating that a development will not expose future occupants to unacceptable noise levels or negatively impact neighbouring properties.
Why Are Noise Assessments Important for Planning?
Noise issues are a common reason for planning objections and refusals. Local authorities use noise reports to determine whether a development will meet required environmental and living standards.
For residential developments, noise assessments ensure:
- New homes are not exposed to excessive noise from roads, railways, or industrial sources
- Internal and external noise levels meet BS8233 and ProPG guidelines
- Layout and design offer effective noise protection
- Mitigation measures such as acoustic glazing or building orientation are considered
For commercial developments, noise assessments help:
- Ensure proposed operations (e.g. plant, deliveries) do not harm existing residential amenity
- Justify late-night or high-activity uses near sensitive areas
- Support compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE)
When Is a Noise Assessment Required?
You may need a noise assessment if your development involves:
- Residential buildings near major roads, railways, or industrial areas
- Commercial units that generate noise (e.g. kitchens, gyms, pubs, or plant equipment)
- Mixed-use developments with flats above commercial spaces
- Change of use applications where new noise sources are introduced
- Sites within noise-sensitive areas as defined by local authority policy
Early identification of these triggers allows time for noise mitigation strategies to be included in your design, reducing delays during the planning process.
What Does a Noise Assessment Include?
At Hawkins Environmental, our environmental noise reports are tailored to meet both national and local requirements.
A typical noise assessment may include:
- Desktop review of existing noise conditions
- On-site noise monitoring using calibrated sound level meters
- Analysis of daytime and night-time noise exposure
- Assessment against BS8233 indoor and outdoor limits
- Consideration of ProPG noise risk categories
- Noise contour maps and modelling, if needed
- Practical, cost-effective noise mitigation advice
All reports are formatted for planning submission and clearly structured to answer local authority concerns.
How It Supports Residential and Commercial Schemes
Whether you’re a developer, architect, or planning consultant, a detailed noise assessment offers a range of practical and planning benefits.
Residential:
- Helps avoid objections from Environmental Health Officers (EHOs)
- Ensures high-quality internal living conditions
- Supports sustainable layout design and orientation
- Reduces the risk of appeal or refusal based on noise concerns
Commercial:
- Demonstrates responsibility towards the local community
- Reduces long-term risk of noise complaints or enforcement
- Helps justify operational hours or layout decisions
- Provides defensible evidence for sound insulation measures
Why Work with Hawkins Environmental?
We specialise in clear, accurate and fast-turnaround noise assessments that meet the needs of planners, developers and local authorities across the UK.
- Full compliance with BS8233, ProPG, and local policy
- Honest, site-specific advice on feasibility and mitigation
- Fast delivery to meet planning deadlines
- Trusted by developers and consultants across residential and commercial sectors
Learn more: Noise Assessment Services
Call us: 01256 522332
Email: enquiry@hawkinsenvironmental.co.uk
FAQs
Q1: How long do noise assessments take?
A1: Most assessments can be completed within 5–10 working days, depending on site access and whether on-site monitoring is needed. We offer rapid turnarounds where planning timeframes are tight.
Q2: Do all planning applications require a noise assessment?
A2: No, but if the development is near a known noise source or introduces new noise, local authorities often request one as part of the validation checklist.
Q3: What if the noise levels are too high for development?
A3: In most cases, mitigation measures such as improved glazing, building layout adjustments, or acoustic barriers can be used to meet required standards. We’ll always provide practical solutions where possible.