Velindre Cancer Centre Environmental Statement Vol.1 ......9.3.8 R1 through R7 and R12 will be...

Velindre Cancer Centre Environmental Statement Vol.1: Environmental Statement Text

Chapter 9: Noise and Vibration

Draft - May 2017

Prepared by: Mott McDonald, The Urbanists and HLMAddress: The Urbanists, The Creative Quarter, 8A Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1AF, United KingdomEmail: [email protected] / [email protected]: www.theurbanists.net

All plans within this document are reproduced from Ordnance Survey with permission of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (C) Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution/civil proceedings. Licence No 100054593.

Issue date May 2017 -

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CHAPTER 9

NOISE AND VIBRATION

CHAPTER 9 NOISE AND VIBRATION

Velindre NHS Trust Velindre Cancer Centre

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

9.1 INTRODUCTION 9:2

9.2 CONTEXT 9:2

9.3 METHODOLOGY 9:4

9.4 BASELINE CONDITIONS 9:13

9.5 IMPACTS 9:16

9.6 MITIGATION 9:26

9.7 RESIDUAL IMPACTS 9:28

9.8 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 9:29

9.9 SUMMARY 9:31


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9 NOISE AND VIBRATION

9.1 Introduction

9.1.1 This chapter of the ES assesses the impact of Velindre Cancer Centre in terms of environmental noise and vibration on the surrounding area. The temporary impacts from construction and the permanent impacts from operation (both from fixed plant and traffic) are assessed within the chapter.

9.1.2 Velindre Cancer Centre is currently a facility for the non-surgical treatment of cancer and is located on Velindre Road in Whitchurch just north of Cardiff. In order to meet the needs of the patients the existing hospital is relocating to a new facility (hereafter referred to as the proposed development).

9.1.3 The proposed development includes the relocation of the existing hospital and the construction of two new operational access roads (one for everyday access and one that will be used infrequently for emergency access only). The new location, which is currently made up of undeveloped fields, is in close proximity to junction 32 of the M4 motorway and southeast of an Asda Superstore. The Proposed Development will also include one underground car park (under the hospital building itself), one multi-storey car park and an energy centre that will contain a number of fixed plant items.

9.1.4 The area surrounding the proposed development is primarily made up of residential properties to the north, east and south with a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the west. The baseline noise climate in the area around the proposed development mainly comprises road traffic noise from the nearby M4 as well as occasional noise from the smaller roads around the development.

9.1.5 This noise and vibration impact assessment includes:

• Summary of the results of the baseline noise surveys around the vicinity of the proposed development;

• Identification of appropriate standards, guidance and planning policy; • Identification of the appropriate target noise and vibration levels associated with the proposed

development; • Predicted noise levels from the proposed development and their impacts on the existing sensitive

receptors; • Assessment of the predicted noise levels against the target noise and vibration levels; • Recommendation of mitigation measures which will be required to minimise any potentially

significant impacts; and • Summary of the cumulative impacts from other nearby developments in the local area and the

proposed development. 9.1.6 Due to the adjacent SSSI, this chapter also includes qualitative information about the noise impact on

wildlife (predominantly birds due to what is in the area) from the proposed development and a general assessment on wildlife during the construction and operational phases.

9.2 Context

9.2.1 The noise impact assessment involves the comparison of the measured baseline noise levels and the predicted noise levels at nearby sensitive receptors for both the construction and operational phases.



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The vibration assessment involves the comparison of historically measured vibration data for construction noise and the distance separation between works and sensitive receptors.

9.2.2 The following documents and guidelines have been used to undertake the noise and vibration impact assessments of the propose development:

• Planning Policy Wales (Edition 9, 2016) • Technical Advice Note 11 (TAN11) (1997) • British Standard BS5228-1:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on

construction and opens sites – Part 1: Noise” • British Standard BS5228-1:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on

construction and opens sites – Part 2: Vibration” • British Standard BS4142:2014 “Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial

sound” • British Standard BS8233:2014 “Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction from buildings” • World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Community Noise (1999) • World Health Organization (WHO) Night Noise Guidelines for Europe (2009) • The Control of Pollution Act 1974 • Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Volume 11 Section 3 Part 7 HD 213/11 Noise and

Vibration (2011) • Environmental Protection Act 1990 • IEMA Guidelines for Environmental Noise Impact Assessment (2014) • Cardiff Local Development Plan (adopted 28 January 2016) • Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (1998) • The Effects of Noise on Biodiversity (2012) • Construction and Waterfowl; Defining Sensitivity, Response, Impacts and Guidance (2009)

9.2.3 A full explanation of these policies and legislation is provided in Technical Appendix 9.1

9.2.4 The data and assessments presented within this chapter refer to certain noise parameters. These are defined below.

• LAmax – the highest value of the A-weighted sound pressure level with a specified time weighting that occurs during a given event.

• LAeq,T – also referred to as the continuous equivalent noise level, it is the A-weighted sound pressure level that is the same amount of sound energy as the time varying noise over the same period of time (T).

• LA10,T – the A-weighted sound pressure level that is exceed for 10% of a given time interval (T). • LA90,T – also referred to as the background noise level, it is the A-weighted sound pressure level

that is exceeded for 90% of a given time interval (T). 9.2.5 A-weighting – As seen in the parameters above, this weighting is the sound level as perceived by the

human ear by giving a correction for the frequencies the human ear is less sensitive to.


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9.3 Methodology

Consultation 9.3.1 During the scoping process a representative of Cardiff City Council’s Environmental Health team was

consulted on 19 October 2016 and 8 December 2016 via telephone (and on several occasions via email around these dates). The following was agreed for the assessment:

• Permanent operational noise effects from fixed plant and changes in traffic are included in the assessment

• Temporary noise and vibration effects from construction are included in the assessment • Baseline noise measurements that were undertaken prior to consultation are acceptable

(explained further in Section 9.4 below) • No baseline vibration measurements are required • For the construction noise assessment, the 5 dB(A) method as per British Standard 5228 Part 1

(Noise) will be used 9.3.2 For the operational fixed plant noise assessment, the combined rating level, as defined by

BS4142:2014, of all plant will not exceed the night time representative background noise level (explained further in Section 9.5) at the nearest sensitive receptor.

Sensitivity of Receptors 9.3.3 Noise affects people in different ways. This may include factors such as annoyance and sleep

disturbance, enjoyment of spaces, ability to communicate with others, and ability to concentrate at home or at work. It can also have a direct impact on wildlife and nearby local amenity (such as the SSSI). As per Planning Policy Wales, “noise levels provide an indicator of local environmental quality” (Planning Policy Wales, 2016, p.199). As a consequence, it is not appropriate to consider a single noise criterion when making an assessment.

9.3.4 Noise Table 9.1 sets out criteria used in this assessment to determine the sensitivity of a receptor.

Noise Table 9.1: Criteria to define the sensitivity of receptors Sensitivity Description

High

Receptors where occupants or activities are particularly susceptible to noise Examples: Residential, quiet outdoor areas used for recreation, schools, hospitals, residential care homes, religious institutions

Medium

Receptors moderately sensitive to noise, where it may cause some distraction or disturbance Examples: Offices, restaurants, sports grounds where spectator noise is not a normal part of the event (golf or tennis)

Low

Receptors where distraction or disturbance from noise is minimal Examples: Unoccupied residences or buildings, factories, sports grounds where spectator noise is a normal part of the event



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9.3.5 Noise also effects wildlife in different ways depending on the species. Table 9.2 shows an example of potential magnitude of impact from wildlife.

Noise Table 9.2: Example scale of noise impacts on fauna Description of magnitude of impact Effect

High Noise causes demonstrable harm, either injury or death, or causes situations such as permanent nest abandonment

Medium

Noise causes a reaction, either physiological or behavioural, but cause more permanent changes that do not readily allow individuals or communities to return to pre-exposure condition. Can include temporary nest abandonment

Low Noise causes a reaction, either physiological or behavioural, but fauna returns to pre-exposure conditions relatively quickly and without continuing effect

Negligible No reaction Source: Adopted from Table 7-8 in IEMA Guidelines for Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, pg.46 Identification of existing receptors

9.3.6 The nearest noise sensitive receptors to the application site have been selected for the assessment as these are likely to experience the greatest impact. Consequentially, if impacts are mitigated for these receptors then any more remote receptors will also be mitigated for.

9.3.7 The receptors identified are listed in Table 9.3 with the locations of the existing receptors presented in Figure 9.1.

Table 9.3: Noise and vibration sensitive receptors Receptor Receptor name Receptor type Sensitivity R1 Beech House Residential High R2 Larch House Residential High R3 Sycamore House Residential High R4 Poplar House Residential High R5 Residents on Clos Coed Hir Residential High

R6 Residents on Ffordd Morgannwg Residential High

R7 SSSI Outdoor area/wildlife High

R8 Proposed Velindre Cancer Centre Hospital High

R9 Row of properties along Lon Y Celyn and Park Avenue Residential High

R10 George Thomas Hospice Hospital High

R11 Whitchurch Hospital Currently used for training and administration offices; closed to

Medium


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Receptor Receptor name Receptor type Sensitivity patients

R12 Ty Coryton Residential School School Medium

9.3.8 R1 through R7 and R12 will be assessed for all stages of the Proposed Development (construction and operation). R8 will only be assessed during the operational stage because it will not be fully built until the construction phase is complete. R9 will only be assessed during the electric utilities installation phase of construction works; this position includes two rows of residential properties but they have been grouped together since all the properties are approximately the same distance away from the proposed works. R10 and R11 will only be assessed during the construction phase (minus the electric utilities installation phase) as these receptors will not be used once the proposed development is built and operational.

Construction Noise Methodology Assessment Methodology

9.3.9 British Standard BS5228-1:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and opens sites – Part 1: Noise” (referred to as BS5228 Part 1) provides a methodology for predicting noise levels generated by plant and equipment associated with construction operations.

9.3.10 The level of noise experienced by sensitive receptors will vary according to the following factors:

• Sound power levels of the plant; • Periods of operation of the plant; • Number of plant items used at the same time; • Distances from source to receiver; • Phasing of construction works; • Presence of screening by barriers (in the mitigation stage); and • Topographical features, such as ground type or heights.

9.3.11 BS5228 Part 1 does not define strict criteria to determine the magnitude of noise impacts as there are

a number of factors that affect the acceptability of site noise (such as site location, baseline conditions, duration of site operations, hours of work, attitude of the contractor, attitude of the receptor). However, it has three example criteria for assessing construction noise.

9.3.12 In order to determine the potential for significant effect, Method 2 called the “5 dB(A) Change” method from Annex E (of BS5228 Part 1, pg.119) has been applied for this assessment. This approach considers the expected changes in ambient noise levels instead of the use of fixed noise levels.

9.3.13 For the purposes of assessing noise from construction activities, sound power values for equipment to be used during the construction phase have been sourced from BS5228 Part 1 (Annex C).

9.3.14 Construction noise is transient in nature. Whilst residents may accept that there will be some disturbance caused to those living nearby during the construction phase, the provisions of Sections 60 and 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 offers further protection to them.



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9.3.15 Section 60 (pg. 81) enables a local authority to serve a notice specifying its noise control requirements covering plant or machinery (which is or is not to be used), hours of working, and levels of noise that can be emitted.

9.3.16 Section 61 (pg. 82-83) relates to prior consent in which the contractor consults with the local authority and provides an application prior to construction works commencing to obtain approval for the methods to be used and the steps proposed to minimise noise resulting from the works. If the local authority considers that the application contains sufficient information and that “best practicable means” of noise control are being implemented, and; if the works are being carried out in accordance with the application, it would not serve a notice under Section 60.

9.3.17 “Best practicable means” are defined in Section 72 of the Act (p.92) as “reasonably practicable having regard among other things to local conditions and circumstances, to the current state of technical knowledge and to the financial implications”. This is important when recommending construction mitigation.

Significance of Effects 9.3.18 Based on the guidance in BS5228 Part 1, construction noise will be considered to have a potentially

significant effect if it exceeds the pre-construction ambient noise by 5 dB or more (subject to lower cut-off values of 65, 55 and 45 dB for day, evening, and night periods respectively). Only the daytime (07:00 to 19:00) lower cut-off value of 65 dB will be used as, at this stage, a majority of the construction works be undertaken in the daytime period. Saturday works between 07:00 and 13:00 also fall within the cut-off value of 65 dB(A).

9.3.19 Works outside of this period will require the agreement of the Environmental Health Officer and mitigation will be developed as required.

Construction Vibration Methodology Assessment Methodology

9.3.20 British Standard BS5228-2:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and opens sites – Part 2: Vibration” (referred to as BS5228 Part 2) gives recommendations for methods of vibration control and guidance on vibration levels in terms of Peak Particle Velocity (PPV). PPV is the parameter associated with potential building damage as an instantaneous measure.

9.3.21 Similarly to noise, there are a number of factors that determine the acceptability of vibration arising from construction sites (e.g. hours of work, etc).

9.3.22 Vibration nuisance is frequently associated with the assumption that if vibrations can be felt then damage may occur. However, considerably greater levels of vibration are required to cause damage to buildings and structures.

9.3.23 Table 9.4 details PPV vibration levels and provides a scale for description of demolition and construction vibration impacts on human receptors based on guidance contained in BS5228 Part 2.


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Table 9.4: Guidance on effects of vibration levels Vibration level Effect 0.14 mm/s Vibration might be just perceptible in the most sensitive situations

for most vibration frequencies associated with construction. At lower frequencies, people are less sensitive to vibration.

0.3 mm/s Vibration might be just perceptible in residential environments. 1.0 mm/s It is likely that vibration of this level in residential environments will

cause complaint, but can be tolerated if prior warning and explanation has been given to residents.

10 mm/s Vibration is likely to be intolerable for any more than a very brief exposure to this level in most building environments.

Source: Table B.1 within BS5228-2, pg. 36 Significance of Effects

9.3.24 Vibration from construction is transient and intermittent in nature. Therefore, construction vibration is considered to be significant if it has a PPV of 1.0 mm/s or more, lasting for a minimum of one hour during the normal hours of working, at the nearest sensitive receptor. As per the table above, this is the level that will generally cause complaints in a residential area, but can be tolerated. Should levels exceed this noticeably for shorter periods of time it is likely that there is still the potential for complaints.

Operational Fixed Plant Noise Methodology Assessment Methodology

9.3.25 Planning Policy Wales is supplemented by a series Technical Advice Notes (TAN) that provide detailed planning advice on different subjects. TAN 11: Noise (1997) provides a methodology for assessing the suitability of a site for residential development near existing sources of noise. It provides threshold noise levels for Noise Exposure Categories (NECs), which determine the suitability of the site for residential development and within which various levels of consideration to mitigation should be given. These noise exposure categories are provided for road, rail, aircraft and mixed sources. Separate noise level ranges are specified for the day-time and night-time periods for each of the NECs. The degree of consideration required for each Noise Exposure Category is described in Table 9.5.



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Table 9.5: Noise exposure categories for dwellings Noise Exposure Categories A Noise need not be considered as a determining factor in granting planning

permission, although the noise level at the high end of the category should not be regarded as desirable.

B Noise should be taken into account when determining planning applications and, where appropriate, conditions imposed to ensure an adequate level of protection.

C Planning permission should not normally be granted. Where it is considered that permission should be given, for example, because there are no alternative quieter sites available, conditions should be imposed to ensure a commensurate level of protection against noise.

D Planning permission should normally be refused. Source: TAN11, Annex A, Table 1

9.3.26 The noise level ranges of the various categories are shown in Table 9.6.

Table 9.6: Recommended Noise Exposure Categories (NEC) for new dwellings near existing noise sources Noise levels(1) corresponding to noise exposure categories in LAeq, T dB

Noise source Time period Noise exposure category A B C D

Road traffic

Day time 07:00 to 23:00

< 55 55-63 63-71 > 72

Night time 23:00 to 07:00(2)

< 45 45-57 57-66 > 66

Rail traffic

Day time 07:00 to 23:00

< 55 55-66 66-74 > 74

Night time 23:00 to 07:00(2)

< 45 45-59 59-66 > 66

Air traffic(3)

Day time 07:00 to 23:00

< 57 57-66 66-72 > 72

Night time 23:00 to 07:00(2)

< 48 48-57 57-66 > 66

Mixed sources(4)

Day time 07:00 to 23:00

< 55 55-63 63-72 > 72

Night time 23:00 to 07:00(2)

< 45 45-57 57-66 > 66


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Noise levels(1) corresponding to noise exposure categories in LAeq, T dB Notes (1) Noise levels: the noise level(s) (LAeq, T) used when decided the NEC of a site should be representative of typical conditions. (2) Night-time noise levels (2300-0700): sites where individual noise events regularly exceed 82 dB LAmax (S time weighting) several times in any hour should be treated as being in NEC C, regardless of the LAeq, 8 hour (except where the LAeq, 8 hour already puts the site in NEC D. (3) Air craft noise: daytime values accord with the contour values adopted by the Department of Transport which relate to levels measured 1.2m above open ground. For the same amount of noise energy, contour values can be up to 2 dB(A) higher than those of other sources because of ground reflection effects. (4) Mixed sources: this refers to any combination of road, rail, air and industrial noise sources. The “mixed source” values are based on the lowest numerical values of the single source limits in the table. The “mixed source” NECs should only be used where no individual noise source is dominant. To check is any individual noise source is dominant (for the purposes of this assessment) the noise level from the individual sources should be determined and then combined by decibel additional (remembering first to subtract 2 dB(A) from any aircraft noise contour values). If the level of any one source then lies within 2 dB(A) of the calculated combined value, that source should be taken as the dominant one and the site assessed against the appropriate NEC for that source, rather than using the “mixed source” NECs. If the dominant source is industrial noise see paragraph B17 of Annex B (of TAN 11). If the contribution of the individual noise sources to the overall noise level cannot be determine by measurement and/or calculation, then the overall measured level should be used and the site assessed against the NECs for “mixed sources”.

Source: TAN 11, Annex A, Table 2

9.3.27 In relation to noise from industrial or fixed mechanical sources TAN 11 recommends the use of BS4142.

9.3.28 British Standard BS4142:2014 “Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound” (referred to as BS4142) provides guidance for assessing a new industrial sound source in mixed residential and industrial areas. The methods described in this standard assess the likely effects of the new sound source on people who might be inside or outside a dwelling or premises used for residential purposes upon which sound is incident.

9.3.29 The relevant parameters are as follows.

• Background Sound Level in LA90,T; • Specific Sound Level, or Source Sound Level, in LAeq,T; and • Rating Level in LAeq,T which is the specific sound level plus any penalties given for the

characteristic features of the sound.

9.3.30 The rating method detailed within the standard is widely accepted as an effective means of assessing the significance of building plant noise. The level of sound from proposed new plant (the overall rating level) is predicted in terms of LAeq and compared to the existing background sound level, in terms of LA90. If the specific sound includes tonal, impulsive or other features likely to attract attention, assessed at the off-site noise sensitive receptors (e.g. residential), a character penalty, from 2-18 dB (although unlikely to exceed 10 dB) is added to the specific sound level. Plant that contains these character features should therefore be avoided where practical.

9.3.31 The outcome of the assessment is defined in BS4142 with the following points that relate to the difference between the background noise level and the rating noise level (pg. 16).

• A difference of around +10 dB or more is likely to be an indication of a significant adverse impact, depending on the context;



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• A difference of around +5 dB is likely to be an indication of an adverse impact, depending on the context; and

9.3.32 Where the rating level does not exceed the background sound level, this is an indication of the specific sound source having a low impact, depending on the context.

Significance of Effects 9.3.33 The significance of effects is based on the rating level including any penalties for tonality, impulsivity or

intermittence. The importance of context is emphasised, however, which has the potential to influence the overall significance of effects.

9.3.34 The aim of the criteria that is set out in the assessment is for the rating level to not exceed the representative night-time background noise level including any penalties. In this assessment operational noise from fixed plant is considered to be significant, however, if it is 10 dB or more above the background noise level.

Operational Traffic Methodology

Assessment Methodology 9.3.35 Operational traffic noise will result from changes in vehicular traffic due to changes to the road

network. Design Manual for Roads and Bridges HD 213/11 (2011) (referred to as DMRB) describes the impacts of road traffic noise in terms of the noise descriptors conventionally used for assessing the impact of road traffic in the UK.

9.3.36 The traffic flows provided by Mott MacDonald have been used to calculate the change in sound levels due to vehicle movements on the surrounding roads due to the introduction of the Proposed Development in the area.

9.3.37 Traffic flows have been provided for the following scenarios (to be used in the road traffic noise assessment). Do Minimum means the flows are for the road without the scheme, and Do Something means that the flows are for the road with the scheme.

• Do Minimum option in the baseline year (also known as opening year) (2022) • Do Minimum option in the future assessment year (2032) • Do Something option in the baseline year (2022) • Do Something option in the future assessment year (2032)

9.3.38 A “simple assessment” as described in DMRB has been undertaken for the Proposed Development. In

accordance with this, the following comparisons have been undertaken.

• Short term change in traffic – Do Minimum option in the opening year compared to Do Something option in the opening year; and,

• Long term change in traffic with scheme – Do Minimum option in the opening year compared to Do Something option in the future assessment year.

9.3.39 For short-term changes in road traffic noise (for example, when a project is opened), the smallest change in road traffic noise (in LA10, 18 hours) that is considered perceptible is 1 dB. In the long-term (for


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example, 15 years after the project opening), a change of 3 dB in road traffic noise is considered to be the smallest perceptible change. Consequently, different scales are applied for assigning magnitude of impact for short and long term impacts due to changes in road traffic within DMRB. These are presented in Table 9.7 and can be positive or negative.

Table 9.7: Classification of magnitude of noise impact due to changes in road traffic noise Magnitude of impact Short term noise change, LA10 18

hours Long term noise change, LA10 18 hours

No change 0 0 Negligible 0.1 to 0.9 0.1 to 2.9 Minor 1.0 to 2.9 3.0 to 4.9 Moderate 3.0 to 4.9 5.0 to 9.9 Major 5.0+ 10+

Source: Combined tables 3.1 and 3.2 of DMRB HD213/11

Significance of Effects 9.3.40 DMRB acknowledges that for road traffic noise a methodology has not yet been developed to assign

significance in this way. Using guidance from the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 (amended 1988), operational noise be considered significant if it is above LA10, 18 hours 67.5 dB at 1m from the façade of a noise sensitive receptor.

Proposed Development on the SSSI and Wildlife 9.3.41 While assessing construction and operational noise for human significance is standardised and

controlled through guidance and legislation, applying this to wildlife is not practical. This is mostly because the ‘A-weighting’ applied for measurements to correspond with human hearing ranges and sensitivities does not apply to animals.

9.3.42 There has been a considerable increase in the number of studies that look at the impact of anthropogenic sound (sound generated by humans) and wildlife over the past 30 years. Although this is the case there are still some limitations on how anthropogenic noise can be assessed in wildlife. For example, most of these studies do not look at UK Priority Species or Species of Principal Importance. Also these studies are dominated by assessing road traffic noise as the main source.

9.3.43 Regarding construction noise, a document entitled ‘Construction and Waterfowl; Defining Sensitivity, Response, Impacts and Guidance’ (2009) investigated the effects of construction on waterfowl on the Humber Estuary and developed a series of diagrams to illustrate the overview of the effects of construction noise. Figure 9.2 shows the illustration for waterbird response to construction disturbance in a green, amber, and red scale based on the measured decibel level. To summarise, noise levels below 50 dB had no effect on the birds and noise levels above 85 dB had a maximum response on the birds (i.e. leaving the area altogether).

Assumptions and Limitations 9.3.44 A number of assumptions had to be made in order to undertake the noise and vibration assessment,

and these are listed as follows.



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9.3.45 At this stage the detailed construction programme, including the actual plant to be used, is unknown. A list of plant for each of the stages was drafted and approved by a member of the project team to make the predictions.

9.3.46 The construction assessments assume that there is no overlap between the phases.

9.3.47 Acoustic design of the hospital is outside the scope of this assessment, and further noise surveys should be undertaken at the proposed façades to accurately determine acoustic specifications when required.

9.4 Baseline Conditions

9.4.1 In order to quantify the existing baseline noise conditions a combination of unattended noise measurements (over a period of nine days) and a series of short-term attended noise measurements were undertaken at representative locations around the proposed development.

9.4.2 The unattended noise survey was undertaken from Thursday, 26 November 2015 to Sunday, 4 December 2016; this was undertaken to understand the variability of noise over time in the area. A summary of results is shown in Table 9.9.

9.4.3 The short-term attended noise measurements were undertaken from Wednesday, 13 July 2016 to Thursday, 14 July 2016 at six locations and repeated at three different times of day each for 15-minute intervals. These were undertaken to supplement the long-term measurements in order to understand how the noise levels vary across the area. Alongside the short-term measurements on Wednesday 13 July, one sound level meter was set up at the long-term location for two hours. This was to supply further data for the comparison as the long-term measurements were undertaken at a different time of the year. The sound level meter was turned off after two hours due to lawn mowing in the adjacent field that was interfering with the measurement. Therefore, only three positions were captured in this comparison. A summary of results is in Table 9.10.

9.4.4 Figure 9.3 shows a map of all of the baseline noise monitoring locations. Table 9.8 below gives full details of the measurement positions.

Noise Table 9.8: Summary of baseline noise measurement locations Measurement location Location description Audible sound sources LT (and 2-hour constant position) This location is situated on the

grass just south of the residential properties on Clos Coed Hir approximately 100m east of the site boundary.

Road traffic noise from distant and nearby roads, birdsong.

ST1 This location is situated on the grass just north of the pedestrian walkway off of Whitworth Square approximately 150m north of the site boundary.

Road traffic noise from M4 and A4054, occasional car on Whitworth Square, nearby school.

ST2 This location is situated on the grass on the south side of Hollybush Estate to the

Road traffic noise from M4 and A4054, occasional car on Hollybush Estate.


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Measurement location Location description Audible sound sources southeast of Sycamore House approximately 50m north of the site boundary.

ST3 This location is situated in the car park on the south side of Poplar House off of Hollybush Estate approximately 45m northeast of the site boundary.

Undistinguishable road traffic noise in distance, bird song and leaf rustle.

ST4 This location is situated on the pavement on Clos Coed Hir off of the Northwest corner of house number 22 approximately 90m west of the site boundary.

Undistinguishable road traffic noise in distance, occasional car on Clos Coed Hir, birdsong and leaf rustle.

ST5 This location is situated on the pedestrian footpath approximately 290m along from the small car park off of Forest Park Road and approximately 45m south of the site boundary.

Leaf rustle and branches moving, birdsong, very faint road traffic noise occasionally.

ST6 This location is situated on the pavement within Ffordd Morgannwg in front of the space between houses 21 and 23 and is approximately 110m southwest of the site boundary.

Undistinguishable road traffic noise in distance, occasional cars on Ffordd Morgannwg.

9.4.5 All measurements were conducted using Rion NL-52 sound level meters. The meters were designed to comply with the Class 1 accuracy set out in IEC 61672-1:2002 entitled Electroacoustics – Sound level meters – Part 1: Specifications.

9.4.6 At all locations the microphone was located in free-field conditions (i.e. at least 3.5m from any significant reflecting surface) and at an approximate height of 1.4m above the ground.

9.4.7 Before and after each measurement session, the sensitivity of the measurement system was checked using a Larson Davis calibrator (designed to comply with the Class 1 standard for accuracy set out in IEC 60942:2003 entitled Electroacoustics – Sound calibrators). No significant variations were noted over the measurement sessions.

9.4.8 The sound level meters used held calibration certificates obtained no more than two years before the time of the survey and the calibrator used held calibration certificate obtained no more than one year before the time of the survey.

9.4.9 All measurements were undertaken by a consultant competent in environmental noise monitoring and completed in accordance with the principles of BS7445-1:2003 entitled Description and measurement of environmental noise. Guide to quantities and procedures.



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9.4.10 The winds were variable during the long-term measurement period, but westerly winds prevailed. The weather was also variable during the long-term measurement period. Weather conditions during portions of the unattended survey were not suitable for noise measurement, particularly due to rain and high wind speed (above 5 m/s). Therefore, any data that was considered unrepresentative due to weather conditions has been disregarded.

9.4.11 There was no rain or wind speeds exceeding 5 m/s during the short-term measurements and therefore no attended measurements have been disregarded.

Noise Monitoring Results 9.4.12 Table 9.9 gives a summary of the day time and night time levels for the long-term measurement

period. The logarithmic average of the LAeq values are shown for each time period as well as the typical value (given as the mode) of the LA90, 15min levels (which is representative of typical background levels in the context of the area). The night time representative LAeq noise level is not given as it is not needed for any of the assessments.

Table 9.9: Summary of long-term noise measurements

Date

Average LAeq, 16 hours dB (07:00 to 23:00)

Average LAeq, 8 hours dB (23:00 to 07:00)

Typical LA90, 15 min dB (07:00 to 19:00)



Thursday, 26 Nov 2015 47 (12 hour period) 42

43 (12 hour period) 37 35

Friday, 27 Nov 2015 49 43 46 41 37 Saturday, 28 Nov 2015 53 50 50 44 42 Sunday, 29 Nov 2015 54 50 52 44 35 Monday, 30 Nov 2015 55 50 54 46 47 Tuesday, 01 Dec 2015 47 44 46 40 38 Wednesday, 02 Dec 2015 50 48 45 44 36 Thursday, 03 Dec 2015 52 43 46 43 38

Friday, 04 Dec 2015 49 (5 hour period) --

47 (5 hour period) -- --

Representative noise level 52 N/A 46 43 37

9.4.13 The long-term LA90 data was analysed in terms of the mode, median and 10th percentile in order to get the most representative levels. After the analysis it was decided that the background noise data (LA90) would be better represented by differentiating the day, evening and night time periods. This was because the evening levels were typically lower than daytime. As the hospital’s fixed plant and equipment will be operating 24 hours per day it was appropriate to capture all parts of the day.

9.4.14 Noise Table 9.10 gives a summary of the day time levels for the short-term measurement period.


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Table 9.10: Summary of the short-term noise measurements Position Average LAeq, 15 min Typical LA90, 15 min ST1 51 47 ST2 54 48 ST3 48 45 ST4 48 44 ST5 47 43 ST6 47 43 2-hour constant position 49 46

9.4.15 The key finding of the noise levels recorded are:

• The measurements at ST1 stay at least 3-5 dB higher than the two-hour constant position; • The measurements at ST3 are similar to the two hour constant measurements even though it is

closer to the M4. However, this position is shielded to the north by Poplar House which made it a quiet position; and

• The measurements at ST4 are also similar to the two hour constant measurements.

9.4.16 Overall, there is variation between the LAeq, LA10, and LA90 parameters, which indicates a number of different sources at different times (as opposed to a noise source emitting more-or-less one steady level). All of the short-term measurements and observations made on site indicate that the dominant noise source in the residential areas is likely to be road traffic noise from the M4 with additional road traffic noise contributions from Pendwyallt Road and the adjacent residential roads.

Uncertainty in Measurements 9.4.17 Although it is inevitable that there is a degree of uncertainty in measured noise levels, the following

efforts have been made in order to reduce measurement uncertainty.

• Long-term measurements were taken over multiple days and the location, which ensures variation in the acoustic environmental over the course of the day and night is captured;

• The long-term location is considered to be representative of the background noise level at the receptors;

• Attended measurements were done under appropriate meteorological conditions and the wind speeds did not exceed 5 m/s. As noted above, wind speeds during some periods of the unattended survey exceeded 5m/s and this data has been disregarded;

• Survey was undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced acoustic engineers; and, • A class 1 sound level meter was used and the meter was calibrated both before and after the

noise survey; no significant drift in calibration was observed.

9.5 Impacts

9.5.1 The impacts of the proposed development have been assessed using the methodologies and criteria set out above. For the purpose of the assessment, the proposed development’s noise and vibration generating sources have been divided into the following sections.



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• Temporary impacts from construction noise • Temporary impacts from construction vibration • Permanent impacts from operational fixed plant and equipment • Permanent impacts from changes in road traffic.

Construction Noise

9.5.2 Six phases of construction works have been identified for the proposed development which are as follows:

• Enabling works – vegetation clearance; • Enabling works – road building; • Enabling works – bridge building; • Construction of the underground car park; • Construction of hospital and energy centre; and, • Installation of electric utilities connection.

9.5.3 A list of the plant used to undertake the calculations for each phase, including number of items,

percentage on-time and reference within BS5228 Part 1, is presented in Table 9.11 below. This has been supplied by a member of the project team for the purposes of this assessment.

Table 9.11: Summary of plant for construction works

Works Plant BS5228 reference

LAeq at 10m dB (**indicates LAmax)

% on-time Quantity

Enabling works – vegetation clearance phase

Chainsaw Strimmer Generator

-- -- 8.24

85 72 59

50% 50% 90%

8 8 1

Enabling works – Road building

Dozer Tracked excavator Vibratory roller Articulated dump truck Generator Water bowser and tractor

2.10 2.19 5.26 6.26 8.24 6.38

80 77 77 79 59 83**

40% 40% 40% 40% 90% 40%

2 2 1 4 2 1

Enablng works – Bridge building

Rotary piling rig Concrete pump Mobile crane Oxy-acetylene kit Generator

3.14 4.28 4.41 3.31 8.24

83 75 71 73 59

40% 40% 40% 40% 90%

1 1 1 2 2

Construction of the underground car park

Rotary piling rig Concrete pump Generators Concrete batching

3.14 4.28 8.24 --

83 75 59 76

40% 40% 90% 40%

1 1 2 1


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Works Plant BS5228 reference

LAeq at 10m dB (**indicates LAmax)

% on-time Quantity

plant Mobile crane Large excavator Articulated dump truck Concrete mixer truck Vibratory roller

4.41 2.17 6.26 4.20 5.26

71 79 79 80 77

40% 40% 40% 25% 25%

1 2 3 1 1

General building construction (of hospital)

Mobile crane Angle grinder Generator Concrete pump Rotary piling rig Concrete batching plant Telehandler Water bowser and tractor Dumper Dozer Vibratory roller Tracked excavator Asphalt paver Articulated dump truck Hand tools

4.41 4.93 8.24 4.28 3.14 -- 4.54 6.38 6.26 2.11 5.26 2.19 5.33 5.16 4.95

71 80 59 75 83 76 79 83** 79 79 77 77 75 81** 73

40% 40% 80% 40% 30% 40% 40% 30% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 40% 25%

2 2 6 1 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 2 1 2 2

Electric utilities connection

Mini tracked excavator Dumper Hand tools Generator

4.68 4.8 4.95 4.82

65 56 73 56

40% 40% 50% 80%

2 2 3 1

9.5.4 The tables below assess each receptor (R1 through R6 and R9 for the electric utilities connection) by adding the measured ambient noise level to the unmitigated predicted noise level for the construction works. The assessment of the potential for significant effect is based on the 5 dB(A) change method of BS5228 Part 1. The assessment is for daytime hours only (07:00 to 19:00); no evening or night-time assessments have been made because this is outside standard working hours.

9.5.5 The noise levels have been predicted for the “worst case” (closest distance of the works to the sensitive receptor) and the “average case” (middle distance of the works to the sensitive receptor) except where otherwise stated. This is because in actuality the plant will gradually move along the area impacting different receptors at different intensities and times depending on when the plant is closer and further away from the receptors.



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9.5.6 The predicted noise levels are considered to be significant when they increase the existing ambient noise levels by 5 dB and are above 65 dB (daytime threshold). Where the works are considered to have a significant effect mitigation will be required. The mitigation strategy is found in Section 9.6.

Table 9.12: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for enabling works – vegetation clearance phase

Receptor Baseline

Closest distance Average distance

Distance Baseline + Plant

Potential for significant effect? Distance

Baseline + Plant

Potential for significant effect?

R1 54 70 75 Yes 130 68 Yes R2 54 70 75 Yes 140 67 Yes R3 54 60 76 Yes 155 66 Yes R4 48 40 81 Yes 190 64 No R5 48 65 75 Yes 270 60 No R6 47 105 70 Yes 200 63 No R10 47 100 71 Yes 280 60 No R11 47 240 61 No 400 57 No R12 51 210 59 No 300 56 No

Table 9.13: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for enabling works – road building

Receptor Baseline




Baseline + Plant


R1 54 70 68 Yes 230 58 No R2 54 55 71 Yes 298 57 No R3 54 10 87 Yes 340 56 No R4 48 10 87 Yes 390 52 No R5 48 165 60 No 500 51 No R6 47 265 55 No 370 52 No R10 47 310 54 No 470 51 No R11 47 410 52 No 600 50 No R12 51 220 57 No 300 55 No

Table 9.14: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for enabling works – bridge building

Receptor Baseline




Baseline + Plant



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Receptor Baseline Closest distance Average distance R1 54 120 60 No

Distances are similar to closest distance, therefore not assessed.

R2 54 50 68 Yes R3 54 35 72 Yes R4 48 50 68 Yes R5 48 155 57 No R6 47 325 51 No R10 47 340 51 No R11 47 430 50 No R12 51 215 55 No

Table 9.15: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for construction of underground car park

Receptor Baseline




Baseline + Plant


R1 54 80 68 Yes 150 62 No R2 54 80 68 Yes 130 63 No R3 54 70 69 Yes 130 63 No R4 48 55 71 Yes 140 62 No R5 48 80 68 Yes 200 59 No R6 47 140 62 No 230 57 No R10 47 180 59 No 280 56 No R11 47 290 55 No 390 52 No R12 51 330 55 No 430 54 No

Table 9.16: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for general building construction

Receptor Baseline




Baseline + Plant


R1 54 80 71 Yes 150 65 Yes R2 54 80 71 Yes 130 66 Yes R3 54 70 72 Yes 130 66 Yes R4 48 55 74 Yes 140 65 Yes R5 48 80 71 Yes 200 62 No R6 47 140 65 Yes 230 60 No R10 47 180 63 No 280 58 No



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Receptor Baseline Closest distance Average distance R11 47 290 58 No 390 56 No R12 51 330 58 No 430 56 No

Table 9.17: Summary of predicted construction noise impacts for electric utilities connection

Receptor Baseline




Baseline + Plant


R9 Estimated 52 30 68 Yes

Distances are similar to closest distance, therefore not assessed

9.5.7 Overall, the construction works have the potential to be significant when the works are being undertaken unmitigated at the site boundary closest to each of the receptors. There are also instances where the construction works have the potential to be significant in the “average case” at R1 through R4. In all of these instances the predicted baseline plus plant noise level is 0-3 dB above the 65 dB(A) daytime significance threshold.

9.5.8 Regarding mobilisation to and from the construction site, the main bridge (access via Asda) will be used for most of the construction phase. However, in order to construct the access bridge additional construction access routes would be required. These are shown in the Transport Assessment in Chapter 7. It has been estimated that no more than twenty vehicles will be utilising these temporary construction routes per day, and this number of vehicles represents a short-lived peak, with day-to-day numbers significantly fewer. This will not have a significant adverse effect on the nearby properties. This is because the traffic would need to increase by 25% in order to bring a 1 dB increase in noise level (according to the DMRB, paragraph A1.8), which is not expected to happen with up to 20 deliveries for only a short period, plus site staff.

9.5.9 Once the main access bridge is constructed all construction vehicles will access the site via the bridge (i.e. via Longwood Drive and Asda). Given the lack of receptors along that route and the existing high level of traffic it is not considered that this would result in a significant noise impact, therefore construction deliveries are not considered further for the main site construction.

Construction Vibration 9.5.10 Piling will be the dominant vibration source during the proposed construction works. The type of piling

that is proposed at this stage is rotary bored piling.

9.5.11 The following is stated in BS5228-2 about rotary bored piling (pg. 76).

“Although rotary bored piling tends to set up low level vibrations, transient vibrations can also occur when the auger strikes the base of the borehole. If it is necessary to insert an appreciable length of temporary casing to support the boring, a casing dolly can be used and, as with the impact bored piling method, this will give rise to intermittent vibrations. The use of special tools, such as chisels, will also result in intermittent vibrations.”


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9.5.12 Vibration is dependent on a number of factors, such as the ground conditions, energy of the equipment, and distance. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the vibration levels at each sensitive receptor.

9.5.13 Table 9.18, taken from BS5228 Part 2, below provides historic PPV levels for different piling activities at various distances. Additionally, Figure 9.4 provides these in graphical format for rotary piling as a plot of PPV vs. distance.

Table 9.18: Sample vibration data BS5228 Reference Soil conditions Mode Distance PPV (mm/s)

101 Fill/dense ballast/London clay

Augering Auger hitting base of hole

20 20

0.05 0.23

103 Fill clay

Augering Dollying casing Auger hitting base of hole Spinning off

10 10 10 10

0.38 1.1 0.96 0.57

106 6m of soft ground over rock

Augering Surging casing Twisting in casing Spinning off Boring with rock auger

5 5 5 5 5

0.54 0.36 0.22 0.42 0.43

Source: Levels from BS5228-2

9.5.14 The distances between the sensitive receptors and the nearest boundary of proposed construction works that involve piling (bridge building, construction of the underground car park and general building construction) are presented in Table 9.19. This does not include the construction of the emergency access road off Hollybush Estate, where it is likely that R3 and R4 will be 10m from the construction works. This is because piling is not proposed for that phase of the road works. Piling will however be required for the bridge construction for this access road.

Table 9.19: Closest distances to the proposed piling works Receptor Sensitivity Distance (m)

Bridge building Distance (m) Construction of underground car park

Distance (m) General building construction

R1 High 120 80 80 R2 High 50 80 80 R3 High 25 70 70 R4 High 35 55 55 R5 High 155 80 80 R6 High 325 140 140



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9.5.15 Based on these separation distances between the proposed works (with potential piling) and receptor and the example vibration levels shown above and plotted in Figure 9.4 the potential vibration levels will not result in vibration levels at the receptors that are significant.

Operational Fixed Plant

9.5.16 At this stage only indicative information on building service equipment is available, and it is assumed that plant will only be located within the energy centre and the roof of the hospital building. The proposed plant at each location is as follows.

• Gas fire boilers – contained within the energy centre • Diesel generators – contained within the energy centre, to be used only as backup • Ventilation stack – located immediately next to the energy centre • Air conditioning units – on the roof of the hospital building

9.5.17 As the hospital’s fixed plant and equipment will be operating 24 hours per day, the night-time period (between 23:00 to 07:00) is the most sensitive time period in terms of noise. Therefore, in order to satisfy the requirements of Cardiff City Council throughout the day the fixed plant criteria will be based on the night-time noise level.

9.5.18 As per consultation with Cardiff City Council, the combined rating level from all fixed plant will not exceed the representative night-time background noise level.

9.5.19 The most representative LA90 for the area is 37 dB(A). Therefore, noise from all fixed plant plus any penalties for tonal, impulsive or intermittent characteristics will be designed (during detailed design stage) not to exceed the derived noise criterion of 37 dB(A) at nearest noise sensitive receptors.

9.5.20 With a noise criterion of 37 dB(A), this ensures that the plant is still 9 dB lower than the background noise level in the day and 6 dB lower in the evening since the representative background noise levels are LA90 46 and 43 dB for day and evening respectively. This also protects the adjacent SSSI in the day and evening when residents of the local area are most likely to be outside. At night, the outdoor amenity for human activity does not need to be taken into consideration but is still important due to the wildlife in the SSSI.

9.5.21 However, it is important that the nearest noise sensitive receptors (which are R8 and R1 at 120m and 140m respectively) are not subject to excessive noise at night. According to WHO Guidelines, open windows produce a level difference outside to inside of 10-15 dB. A noise criterion of 37 dB(A) for the operational plant ensures that even with an open window the indoor ambient noise level is below the recommended level for inside a bedroom at night, which is 30 dB (as per guidance from British Standard 8233:2014).

9.5.22 It is important that the design or selection of plant takes into consideration the combined noise level at the nearest noise sensitive receptor.

Operational Traffic 9.5.23 The results of the traffic noise predictions in terms of baseline noise levels (predicted noise level at

10m) are shown in terms of LA10,18 hour in Table 9.20. These levels have been taken from the Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) provided by a transport planner of the project team.


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Table 9.20: Traffic noise predictions

Road

Do something (DS)

Do minimum (DM)

DS – DM opening year (2022) (short-term change)

Do something (DS)

Do minimum (DM)

DS future assessment year – DM opening year (long-term change)

Baseline (2016)

Opening year (2022)

Opening year (2022)

Future assessment year (2032)

Future assessment year (2032)

Park Rd 65.4 65.8 65.9 -0.1 66.4 66.5 0.5

Longwood Drive 67.1 67.9 67.4 0.5 68.5 68.0 1.1

Velindre Rd 59.9 60.1 60.4 -0.3 60.7 61.0 0.3

Hollybush Estate 55.0 55.4 55.4 0 56.1 56.1 0.7

Pendwyallt Rd 65.4 65.6 65.7 -0.1 66.4 66.5 0.7

ASDA Flows 65.3 65.5 65.0 0.5 66.1 65.6 1.1 Source: Traffic flows and calculations by Mott MacDonald

9.5.24 It is evident that the noise levels exceed 67.5 LA10,18hr at 10m on Longwood Drive; however there are no residences on this road and all commercial properties are significantly farther away than 10m.

9.5.25 Using guidance from DMRB and Table 9.7 of this chapter, all short-term and long-term impacts as a result of the proposed development are considered “no change” or “negligible” and all long-term impacts are considered “negligible”.

General Assessment of the SSSI and Wildlife Construction Noise

9.5.26 Construction noise levels for R7 (SSSI) have been predicted for the “worst case” (closest distance) and the “average case” (middle distance) except where otherwise stated in Table 9.21 below. Both the worst case and the average case measure up to the closest edge of the SSSI boundary. The electric utilities connection phase is not assessed as it is only applicable to R9 (more than 600m to the east).

Table 9.21: Construction noise assessment for R7 (SSSI)

Construction phase Baseline


Distance

Predicted construction noise level Distance

Predicted construction noise level

Enabling works - Strimming 47 10 91 100 68 Enabling works - Road building 47 40 72 90 63 Enabling works - Bridge building 47 140 55 200* 51 Construction of underground car park 47 40 71 150 57 General building construction 47 40 75 150 62 *Not an average distance; distance represents the further bridge out of two bridges being built.



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9.5.27 This construction assessment is conservative in nature, meaning it assumes the all of the plant associated with each phase are the same distance away from R7 at the same time and are running for a longer period of time than what will actual occur on site. However, since wildlife reacts differently to noise (and frequencies) than humans it is important to look at a worst-case scenario.

9.5.28 According to “Construction and Waterfowl: Defining Sensitivity, Response, Impacts and Guidance”, 50-70 dB(A) is considering a “Level 2” or “moderate” effect level for wildlife and construction noise and 70-85 dB(A) is considered a “Level 3” or “moderate-high” effect level, and behaviour changes include head turning, scanning behaviour, reduced feeding, or movement to other areas close by. Based on these thresholds and the distances to other noise sensitive receptors it is recommended that construction noise does not exceed 70 dB(A) at the boundary of the SSSI. Further guidance from an ecologist should be sought regarding construction noise and wildlife (including their sensitivity to disturbances, for example depending on the season or weather conditions during the construction stage).

Construction Vibration 9.5.29 The distance between the nearest boundary of the SSSI and the proposed construction works that

involve piling (bridge building and general building construction) are presented in Table 9.22.

Table 9.22: Closest distances to the proposed piling works for R7 SSSI Receptor Sensitivity Distance (m)

Bridge building Distance (m) Construction of underground car park

Distance (m) General building construction

R7 High 140 40 40 9.5.30 Based on these separation distances between the proposed works (with potential piling) and R7 and

the example vibration levels shown in Table 9.18 and plotted in Figure 9.4 the potential vibration levels should not result in vibration levels at the SSSI that are significant. Further guidance from an ecologist should be sought regarding wildlife and construction vibration during the construction stage.

Operational Fixed Plant 9.5.31 Using guidance from “Construction and Waterfowl: Defining Sensitivity, Response, Impacts and

Guidance” (as summarised above for wildlife and construction noise) a precautionary threshold of 50 dB(A) is required for operational fixed plant associated with the Proposed Development at the SSSI.

9.5.32 The energy centre, where a majority of the fixed plant will be held, is located about 70m north of the SSSI boundary. Since the combined rating level from all fixed plant is required to be 37 dB(A) at the nearest noise sensitive property (R8 at 120m from the energy centre), the combined noise level of the fixed plant has been calculated to be 42 dB(A) at the SSSI and the 50 dB(A) criteria will be met.

9.5.33 Separate to the effect on wildlife, this criterion also protects the amenity of the SSSI in terms of the local residents enjoying the space during the daytime as the typical LA90 is 43 dB(A).

Operational Traffic 9.5.34 Table 9.23 below shows the predicted Do Something levels (at 10m) shown in terms of LA10, 18 hour

taken from the AADT for the new access road into the Proposed Development.


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Table 9.23: Traffic noise predictions for new road Road Do Something (DS)

opening year (2022) Do Something (DS) future assessment year (2032)

DS future assessment year – DS opening year

Hospital development main access road

56.4 57.1 0.7

Source: Traffic flows and calculations by Mott MacDonald

9.5.35 In terms of DMRB, this is considered a negligible change for human receptors. The SSSI is approximately 30m from the new access road at the closest point and the predictions in the table are given at 10m from the road. Therefore, it is not anticipated that there will be any significance adverse effects on the SSSI and wildlife as a result of the new access road and additional mitigation will not be required.

9.6 Mitigation

9.6.1 Mitigation measures will help to reduce the significance of effects on nearby sensitive receptors. Each of the sections below gives recommendations for both the construction and operational stages of the proposed development based on guidance and consultation with Cardiff City Council.

Construction Noise 9.6.2 Mitigation measures will be employed to ensure that potential noise effects at nearby sensitive

receptors due to construction activities are minimised. The preferred approach for controlling construction noise is to reduce source levels where possible but with due regard to practicality. Sometimes a greater noise level may be acceptable if the overall construction time (and therefore length of disruption) is reduced.

9.6.3 Construction working hours are 08:00-18:00 from Monday to Friday and 08:00-13:00 on Saturday, with no work where noise is audible beyond the site boundary on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Any requirement to work outside of these normal hours should only occur with prior agreement with Cardiff City Council.

9.6.4 Temporary barriers that remove line of sight (from the receptor to the construction works) would be likely to reduce the resultant noise levels from construction works by 10 dB and should be constructed prior to the commencement of works. This would ensure that most of the resultant noise levels do not have the potential to have a significant effect. Where line of sight cannot be removed (for example, for tall blocks of flats such as R1 Beech House) noise levels should not exceed 70 dB(A) at the receptor.

9.6.5 Whilst construction noise is likely to be disruptive at nearby residences at times, it can be controlled by the implementation of a Construction Noise Management Plan (CNMP), or as part of a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP).

9.6.6 Incorporated mitigation related to construction noise will be set out within the CEMP. This will identify the series of measures to reduce the environmental effects during the construction period and cover environmental and safety aspects affecting the interests of residents and general public. Specific measures for the mitigation of noise and vibration would be discussed and agreed with Cardiff City



Page 9:27

Council and described within the contractor method statements. Where it is considered that the recommended 70 dB(A) noise limit cannot be achieved with the proposed construction method alternative methods will be considered in conjunction with Cardiff City Council.

9.6.7 The CEMP will also include definitive haul and construction routes leading into and out of the site to ensure this does not cause undue disturbance to local residents. As stated in Section 9.5.1 there will be no more than ten deliveries per day for the construction phase. Deliveries will be hauled through the new Asda access route/bridge, but prior to this being built there are a few different access routes proposed (shown in the Transport Assessment in Chapter 7). The definitive haul and construction routes will ensure that deliveries are staggered throughout the day and, in the instance where the bridge/Asda access route are not built, use different haul routes throughout the day.

9.6.8 Additional noise mitigation measures may include the following.

• Selecting quiet equipment; • Setting time restrictions on certain noisy activities; • Ensure equipment is maintained, in good working order, and is used in accordance with the

manufacturer’s instructions; • Members of the construction team should be trained and advised during tool box briefings on quiet

working methods; • Equipment should not be left running unnecessarily; • Equipment should be fitted with silencers or mufflers; • Use of plant enclosures whenever feasible; • Careful orientation of plant with directional features; • Materials should be lowered instead of dropped from height; • Inform nearby noise sensitive receptors in advance of construction activities and keep them up to

date with progress and changes; • Give nearby noise sensitive receptors a site contact telephone number; the contact should liaise

with residents and maintain good rapport; • Vehicles should not wait or queue up with engines running on the site or on the public highway; • Manage deliveries to prevent queuing of site traffic at access points and the need for vehicles to

reverse; and, • Use of adjustable or directional audible vehicle-reversing alarms or use of alternative warning

systems, e.g. white noise alarms.

9.6.9 Discussions with Cardiff City Council indicate that recommendations for Section 61 (under the Control of Pollution Act 1974) applications are on a case-by-case basis. The contractor will contact Cardiff City Council to discuss the option of gaining consent under Section 61.

9.6.10 Finally, good public relations are invaluable in securing public acceptance of construction noise. People are more tolerant of noise if they understand the reason for it, the likely duration, start and stop dates and that everything is being done to minimise noise levels. Letter box drops explaining this should be considered. A dedicated site contact for the public and a complaints handling procedure should both be put in place.


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Construction Vibration 9.6.11 As mentioned above, construction vibration impacts will not be significant, however incorporated

mitigation related to construction vibration will be set out within the CEMP.

9.6.12 It is required that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken to ensure that adverse levels of vibration are not experienced at the residences. Where limits are exceeded, work methods should be reconsidered.

9.6.13 At this stage piling is not proposed for the access road between R3 and R4. However, if this changes at a later stage vibration monitoring should be carried out where works are likely to produce levels in excess of 1.0mm/s at the sensitive receptors. This is because these receptors are approximately 10m from the proposed works.

9.6.14 Additional vibration mitigation measures may include the following.

• Utilising low vibration working methods • Replace plant that is causing significant levels of vibration • Isolate vibratory plant using resilient mountings Operational Fixed Plant

9.6.15 As stated, the combined rating noise level (LAeq) from the fixed plant will not exceed 37 dB(A) at the nearest sensitive receptor. At this stage it is proposed to enclose the Energy Centre with attenuation that meets the requirements of Cardiff City Council.

9.6.16 In addition, if further attenuation is needed for the proposed air conditioning units on the roof of the hospital it is recommended that plant barriers are used and/or plant is positioned away from the edge of the building. If, for example, a 2.4m barrier is used for air conditioning units with a height of 0.6m, it would be expected that the noise output would be attenuated by 10 dB.

9.6.17 Noise from all fixed plant should be designed (or selected) such that is does not incur penalties for tonal, impulsive or intermittent characteristics as per BS4142 where possible.

9.6.18 With the recommended fixed plant levels in place and the additional mitigation that has been recommended, the required noise criteria would be met during operation.

Operational Traffic

9.6.19 The DMRB assessment showed that both the short-term and long-term noise impacts are classified as no change or negligible as a result of the scheme. Therefore, it is not anticipated that any additional mitigation will be required.

9.7 Residual Impacts

9.7.1 This section addresses the residual effects for all of the receptors for both the construction and operational phases of the Proposed Development after mitigation.

9.7.2 Table 9.24 summarises the proposed mitigation measures and whether there is the potential to have a significant impact after these mitigation measures are utilised.



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Table 9.24: Residual impacts from the proposed development

Phase Nature of impact

Summary of mitigation measures

Potential to be significant after mitigation

Noise Vibration

Construction – strimming Temporary Use of temporary barriers to remove line of sight Working time restrictions Good practice Maintenance of plant Good rapport and communication with nearby residents CEMP and risk assessment Altering work methods where levels are exceeded

No No Construction – road building

Temporary No No

Construction – bridge building

Temporary No No

Construction – underground car park

Temporary No No

Construction – general Temporary No No Construction – electric utilities connection

Temporary No No

Operation – fixed plant Permanent Fixed plant design criteria to be met Additional enclosures and barriers where necessary

No --

Operation – traffic Permanent No additional mitigation No --

9.8 Cumulative Effects

9.8.1 The cumulative assessment is based on the development identified in Chapter 3 and in the Planning Statement. This includes the extant outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Whitchurch Hospital (ref: 95/1195N); the development in the Whitchurch Green Masterplan; and, the development of a Starbucks Drive Through adjacent to the Asda Petrol Station off Longwood Drive. Further consideration to the potential cumulative impacts of the proposed development is also given in Chapter 12.

9.8.2 The following should be noted when considering the findings of the cumulative assessment.

9.8.3 Extant Planning Permission (LPA ref: 95/1195N):

• Not all of the permitted development can be considered in the cumulative assessment, since the delivery of the new Velindre Cancer Centre would prevent the development of that extant permission in its entirety;

• The original planning permission was granted in July 2001 so it is uncertain whether the development would still be delivered in the contemporary commercial context;

• The likelihood of delivering the hospital that was proposed in that application is unclear, since the proposed site was considered for the new Velindre Cancer centre but found to be too small to deliver an appropriate scheme; and


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• No technical information that was included in the original planning application to identify the environmental impact of the proposals is available to use as the basis to identify a cumulative assessment (assumptions have therefore been undertaken).

9.8.4 Whitchurch Green Masterplan

• The development has no land use planning status, i.e. it is different from the extant outline planning permission parameters in terms of land uses and amounts;

• Velindre NHS Trust prepared the masterplan at the request of Cardiff City Council and the Design Commission for Wales, but the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board own the majority of the land. Its implementation, as set out in the document, is therefore uncertain;

• The development included in the masterplan does not have planning permission; it is therefore uncertain whether it would be delivered within five years. This is the period of time beyond which cumulative impacts should not be considered due to the lack of accuracy and certainty, as set out in European Commission Guidance (Assessment of Indirect and Cumulative Impacts etc., 1999); and

• No assessment of the environmental impact of the Whitchurch Green Masterplan has been undertaken, so no technical information is available to use as the basis for undertaking the cumulative assessment (assumptions have therefore been undertaken).

9.8.5 In light of the above it is considered that the cumulative assessment undertaken below is appropriately limited and there can be little weight afforded to the impacts identified. It is considered more appropriate and accurate for the cumulative impact of the development to be identified through the planning process associated with the redevelopment of Whitchurch Hospital, when the environmental impacts of redeveloping the area are known, and subject to planning permission being granted to the new Velindre Cancer Centre.

Cumulative Assessment

9.8.6 During the operational phase of each development, cumulative noise impacts are unlikely. The Assessment uses the traffic data included in the Transport Assessment, which includes the future growth factors (including the redevelopment of the Whitchurch Hospital), to identify the noise impact of operational traffic. Previous analysis demonstrates that the noise impact of operational traffic, and thus the cumulative impact, would be negligible. As the Starbucks Drive-Through would not generate additional trips, there would also be no cumulative noise impact from operational traffic.

9.8.7 Cumulative noise from fixed plant in each of the developments are unlikely as each of the developments would be subject to criteria set out by Cardiff City Council and would be designed (if applicable) to achieve the operational noise limits so that the cumulative noise impact of fixed plant would be negligible.

9.8.8 Significant cumulative noise impacts from the construction of each development are unlikely, as simultaneous construction is unlikely, particularly in the case of the proposed development and redevelopment of Whitchurch Hospital (refer to the limitations previously cited). Furthermore, if construction did take place simultaneously, significant cumulative noise would be avoided through each development implementing modern ‘best practice’ construction management techniques, and



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also by each contractor liaising with the other to avoid simultaneously undertaking particularly noisy construction activities in close proximity to sensitive receptors.

9.9 Summary

9.9.1 An assessment of the potential impact of the proposed development with regards to noise and vibration during both the construction and operational phases has been undertaken. A representative of Cardiff City Council’s Environmental Health Department has been consulted in order to agree an appropriate scope for this assessment.

9.9.2 Baseline noise measurements have been undertaken in the surrounding area in order to determine the noise climate for the assessments and criteria.

9.9.3 The construction assessment considers noise and vibration from the planned construction activities across the development area. Construction plant will gradually move along the area impacting different receptors at different intensities and times depending on when the plant is closer and further away from the receptors. Construction noise and vibration will be controlled through numerous mitigation measures that have been recommended, such as use of temporary barriers, suitable selection of plant, and working time restrictions. It will be up to Cardiff City Council to formally control the construction phase following planning permission through the use of conditions for a Construction Noise Management Plan or Construction Environment Management Plan and agreements with the contractor.

9.9.4 The operational assessment considers noise from permanent fixed plant (associated with the everyday operation of the hospital, such as boilers and air conditioning units) and the change in traffic flows on surrounding roads. Any fixed plant is subject to noise criteria so that the combined noise from all operational equipment does not exceed a specified level at the nearest noise sensitive receptor. Changes in road traffic volume as a result of the proposed development has been assessed and noise associated with this is expected to be negligible.

9.9.5 Finally, cumulative effects from the proposed development and nearby developments (independent of the proposed development) have been assessed to determine where cumulative (combined) impacts are likely. A number of recommendations have been made to ensure that the construction and operation of new developments does not result in excessive and undue noise and vibration.

Velindre Cancer Centre Environmental Statement Vol.1 ......9.3.8 R1 through R7 and R12 will be...

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