Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
8.2 Methodology
General Planning Policy and Advice Relating to Noise
8.2.1 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) (Scottish Executive, 2010) 1 provides advice on how the
planning system should manage the process of encouraging, approving and implementing
renewable energy proposals including onshore wind farms. SPP does not provide specific
guidance regarding noise associated with wind farm developments, but Planning Advice Note
45 (PAN 45) 2 (Scottish Executive, 2002) provides further advice on this subject (see below).
8.2.2 Planning Advice Note PAN56 3 provides general advice on the role of the planning system in
preventing and limiting the adverse effects of noise without prejudicing investment in
enterprise, development and transport.
8.2.3 PAN56 provides general advice on a range of noise related planning matters, including
references to noise associated with both construction activities and operational wind farms. In
relation to operational noise from wind farms, Section 34 of PAN56 states that:
‘Good acoustical design and siting of turbines is essential to ensure there is no
significant increase in ambient noise levels as they affect the environment and any
nearby noise-sensitive property.’
Specific Planning Policy and Advice Relating to Construction Noise
8.2.4 Sections 40 and 41 of PAN56 note that construction noise control can be achieved through
planning conditions that limit noise from temporary construction sites, or by means of the
Control of Pollution Act (CoPA) 1974 4 . The CoPA provides two means of controlling
construction noise and vibration. Section 60 provides the Local Authority with the power to
impose at any time operating conditions on the development site. Section 61 allows the
developer to negotiate a prior consent for a set of operating procedures with the Local
Authority before commencement of site works.
8.2.5 For detailed guidance on construction noise and its control, PAN56 refers to British Standard
BS 5228 5 ‘Noise control on construction and open sites’, Parts 1 to 4. This standard has been
updated since PAN56 was published. The most recent update was published in January 2009
and consolidates all previous parts of the standard into BS 5228-1:2009 6 (BS 5228-1) for
airborne noise and BS 5228-2:2009 7 (BS 5228-2) for ground borne vibration. These updated
standards supersede all previous versions, and have therefore been adopted as the relevant
versions upon which to base this assessment.
8.2.6 BS 5228-1 provides guidance on a range of considerations relating to construction noise
including the legislative framework, general control measures, example methods for
estimating construction noise levels and example criteria which may be considered when
assessing effect significance. Similarly, BS 5228-2 provides general guidance on legislation,
prediction, control and assessment criteria for construction vibration.
November 2010 Chapter 8 Page 2
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