Graham Parry presented evidence at Public
Inquiry on behalf of Wealden District Council in
respect of noise to support the Council’s decision
to refuse planning permission for an Aldi food
Store within the Market area in Hailsham.
Reason No. 3 of the decision notice determined
that there was potential for loss in amenity to
local residents arising through increased noise,
disturbance and other adverse impacts having
regard to the proposed location of the access
road, the extended hours of operation and
activity during unsocial times, and the impact of
associated car and lorry movements.
A five day noise measurement survey was carried
out to characterise the ambient and background
noise climate at a nearby residential property
whose garden abuts the proposed car park. The
existing noise levels during the proposed opening
hours of the store were <46 LAeq, 0700-2200 hrs, which
supported the Council’s reason for refusal.
In order to predict the noise levels from the
activities associated with the store, noise data of
car park vehicle movements in an existing Aldi
store were obtained. Utilising this noise data it
was possible to predict the overall noise levels
that would occur as a result of the worst case car
movements into and out of the car park.
When the noise predictions were compared to
the noise measurement survey data it was
identified that there would be a large number of
occasions when noise levels generated from car
parking movements would significantly exceed
the existing noise levels.
It was concluded that this would result in a
significant impact on amenity for occupiers of
property immediately adjacent to the proposed
development site.
The appeal was refused by the Planning
Inspectorate.
Visit the ACCON UK Ltd website for more information on Hailsham Market