Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Task Name Plant/Equipment Upper
Collective
Sound
Emission
Over
Working Day
Excavate and
lay site cables
Erect turbines
excavators/dump trucks/tractors
& cable drum trailers/wacker
plates
cranes/turbine delivery vehicles/
artics for crane movement/
generators/torque guns
L WA,T
Nearest
Receiver
110 13 Riverside
View
120 13 Riverside
View
Minimum
Distance
to
Nearest
Receiver
Predicted
Upper Day
Time
Noise
Levels
L Aeq,T
420 46
420 56
8.5.5 Comparing the above predicted noise levels to the range of background noise levels
measured around the site suggests that the noisier construction activities would be audible at
various times throughout the construction phase. However, comparing the level to the effect
significance criteria presented previously (Table 8.1) indicates that noise generated through
construction activities will represent a negligible to minor impact.
8.5.6 In addition to on-site activities, construction traffic passing to on-site haul roads and low
trafficked public roads will also represent a potential source of noise impact to surrounding
properties. The traffic assessment for the proposed wind energy development presented in
Chapter 7 of this ES has identified that the highest volume of traffic generated by construction
is expected to occur in the 4 th month of construction, with an average of 50 daily vehicle
movements predicted. These predicted movements include a high proportion of HGVs as well
as other lighter vehicles such as vans.
8.5.7 The most sensitive receiver locations in respect of vehicle movements are properties such as
Bowhouse Gardens which lie adjacent to Forth Crescent Road, at a distance of 6m, and which
are relatively isolated although they already experience noise from distant traffic on the A907.
Large vehicles can generate noise levels in the order of L WA 108 dB (sound power level) when
in motion. However, these types of plant usually pass a receiver location quite quickly. When
stationary the same vehicles will be operating in idle which significantly lowers the noise
output to the environment. Based on the prediction methodology in BS 5288 and accounting
for articulated lorries with a capacity of 23 tonnes and moving at an estimated 15 miles per
hour, the predicted noise level at those dwellings is of 59 dB L Aeq,T . Comparing this level to the
effect significance criteria presented previously indicates that noise generated by construction
traffic at this property will represent a minor effect.
8.5.8 In addition to on-site activities and track movement occurring low trafficked roads, construction
traffic passing to and from the site on more heavily trafficked roads will also represent a
potential source of noise to surrounding dwellings. The traffic assessment presented in
Chapter 7 of this ES presents predicted future traffic changes that would occur during the
construction phase of the proposed wind energy development. Specifically, Tables 7.1 and
7.5 of Chapter 7 have been used to ascertain the following projected traffic flows for scenarios
with and without the proposed wind energy development. Based on these projected changes
in traffic flow, the methodology set out in CRTN has been used to determine the associated
maximum total change in the average day-time traffic noise level at any given location due to
construction of the proposed wind energy development: see Table 8.7a and 8.7b.
November 2010 Chapter 8 Page 13
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