Wind Turbine Noise – East Ayrshire Council & South Ayrshire Council
ACCON UK Limited (ACCON) has framework contracts with East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council to provide advice on noise from wind turbines.
The main part of this work involves carrying out detailed technical reviews of the noise assessments undertaken by other consultants and submitted to support planning applications for onshore wind farms or single wind turbines. ACCON advises on whether the applicant’s assessment has been carried out in accordance with the relevant guidance. ETSU-R-97, ‘The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms’ is the standard methodology for assessing noise from wind turbines. In 2013 the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) published a Good Practice Guide with the aim of promoting a more standardised approach to performing noise assessments according to ETSU-R-97. ACCON utilises this as a key guidance document when undertaking wind farm noise assessment reviews.
As part of each review, ACCON advises the Council if there are any reasons to object to the application on grounds of noise. Advice is also given on suitable wording for planning conditions in respect of noise and appropriate operational noise limits for the proposed turbines. As new wind farms are often proposed near to existing wind turbines, cumulative noise issues add to the complexity of many of the assessments and therefore require close scrutiny as part of the review. ACCON has provided advice on over 30 separate wind farms for the two local authorities so far.
ACCON also provides support to the Councils at the initial stages of wind farm application process, such as commenting on baseline noise monitoring locations proposed by the acoustic consultants working for the wind farm developer. In addition, an ACCON representative may witness the installation of noise monitoring equipment to ensure it is suitably undertaken.
As part of the framework contracts, ACCON has provided other support to East Ayrshire Council or South Ayrshire Council including:
Expert witness services
Reviews of compliance noise monitoring
Discharge of planning conditions
Responses to panning objections.
These framework contracts are an example of ACCON providing specialist services to support local authorities and developing valuable, long-term working relationships with local authority personnel.
Contact: Steve Summers – 01273 573814
Visit the ACCON UK Ltd website for more information on Wind Turbine Noise – East Ayrshire Council & South Ayrshire Council