traffic movements site involve reversing which can noisy reversing bleepers both HGVs telescopic handlers

I have read the details of the application sent to this office and would comment on a number of issues including noise, hours of work, odour, dust air quality, land contamination and construction.   
 

Please note my comments do not relate to the permit requirements and controls under the integrated pollution prevention control regime or waste incineration directive, as the proposal is an activity, which would be regulated by the Environment Agency not Harrogate Borough Council and our comments in relation to Air Quality relate to the pollutants that Local Authorities are under an obligation to assess under the National Air Quality Regime. 
 

MARSTON MOOR BUSINESS PARK RECEPTORS

As a general point all air quality, odour, noise, and dust assessments concentrate their findings in relation to residential premises in the area, although I accept this as an important part of the assessment, they fail to make adequate consideration as to the proposed effect on the occupants of the premises on Marston Moor Business Park or other potential none residential receptors.  Further information is therefore required on the effect of the proposed development on such receptors before any judgement can be made. 
 

      Bearing in mind the above constraints I would make the following comments: - 
 

1 of 4  
 
 
 
 
 
 

1. NOISE

I agree on the main source of noise from activities at the site and broadly accept the baseline conditions. I however wish to raise the following: -

• Predicted levels

I have some concerns on the sole use of point source calculation. I suggest that a number of the identified noise sources should include an area and / or line, as well as point source calculation as part of the assessment.  A change in the calculations used will have an effect on the final predicted levels at the noise sensitive premises and thus a knock on effect on the suitability of the mitigation standards identified in section 5 of the report.

• Mitigation standards

Irrespective of my above comment on predicted levels the report provides sound reduction indices and plant noise levels needed to meet mitigated noise levels, there is however little information on the mitigation measures which are to be employed and their suitability or ability to achieve these levels or standards. Page 5-2 of the noise report states: - 
 

“Table 5.15 provides a summary of the assessment of the cumulative noise impacts at the closest sensitive receptors (residential) assuming that the mitigation described above can be achieved” 
 

Further information with regards to the mitigation measures proposed and their viability in reaching acceptable noise levels is required.  Please note some such mitigation measures may require planning permission.  Without such information a decision on the acceptability or not of the site on grounds of noise disturbance cannot be made.

• Day time assessment / HGV movements

During day time use the author predicts noise rating levels from the facility to be 4dB above the background levels at the nearest residential premises and are unable to meet our design standard of inaudibility, defined as 5dB below background.  6 - 1 of the report states: - 
 

During the day time, and with mitigation in place, the impact of the development would be dominated by the contribution of noise from HGV movements on the site. This was found to have marginal significance as defined by BS 4142 during the quietest periods. &