The Department for Communities and Local Government has today published the long-awaited Draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and formally announced the start of a 12 week consultation process.

 

The purpose of the NPPF is to encourage sustainable development and growth and to simplify the planning process.  The NPFF, which is 65 pages in length, is intended to replace over 1000 pages of guidance and policy contained within the existing Planning Policy Guidance and Planning Policy Statement documents.

 

Noise and vibration is often a material consideration at the planning stage.  Currently assessments are carried out in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance 24.  This in itself is a relatively lengthy document with over 50 pages and provides technical guidance as well as policy.  Noise is addressed in a number of short paragraphs within the NPFF, some referring directly to mineral extraction and the remainder addressing planning proposals which could create noise and others which could be affected by existing sources of noise. 

 

The very obvious and stark change in the policy is the lack of technical guidance.  True simplification of the planning system would be achieved via the production of consistent and up to date technical guidance which can be applied nationwide.  Without this it is inevitable that this 'simplification' will be anything but.

 

Details of the NPFF may be found here.

 

For further details and interpretation of the noise/ vibration-related changes please contact us.

 

We are currently not actively recruiting but are always interested in receiving CVs from suitably qualified and experienced individuals.

 

Please remember that we are acoustic engineers and our staff all have degrees in either acoustics or physics.  You need to be similarly qualified.  We're sorry but if you have experience working in a recording studio or music qualifications you most likely will not be suitable.

 

Please send speculative cvs to info@24acoustics.co.uk

 

 

We are looking for engineers with all levels of ability to work from our office in Romsey, Hampshire.

 

For further details please click here.

 

24 Acoustics is delighted to announce the appointment of two new consultants, Dave Coles and James Chaplen.

 

Dave joins us with a PhD in marine acoustics and will be assisting with our underwater noise monitoring and impact assessment work.  Dave has also worked for two large multi-disciplinary consultancies at earlier stages in his career.

 

James is a recent graduate of the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton, and will assist with all aspects of our work as he gains experience.

 

We are delighted to report that, in December 2009, 24 Acoustics' quality management system was audited by UK ICM and was found to comply with the quality management standard ISO 9001: 2008.

 

This is a major achievement and underlines our commitment to the quality of our work and all that we do. 

 

Special thanks must be made to our Company Secretary, Rebekah McGill, for all the hard work put in behind the scenes to achieve this.

24 Acoustics Appointed to Advise Marchwood Power Station

Heathrow Airport Third Runway- Noise Impact
 
24 Acoustics' Reuben Peckham has recently assisted Sky News by providing noise surveys and technical advice relating to the impact of noise from aircraft at Heathrow Airport.   The work was undertaken specifically within the context of the Runway 3 proposals.

 

Noise measurements were undertaken overnight inside the home of Peg Martin, a remarkable 90 year old lady who has lived within a couple of miles of the western end of the northern runway for over 60 years, from the days when Heathrow was nothing more than a grass airstrip with tents for terminal buildings. 
 
The full story can be seen on Sky News' website by clicking here and the resultant film is shown below.