✓ Granted
Residential
Location
Workington town centre, Cumbria
Planning authority
Cumberland Council
Application
FUL/2025/0183
Decision
Granted, October 2026
Development
42 retirement-living apartments
Standards
BS 8233:2014, ProPG, ISO 9613-2, AVO Guide, Approved Document O
A town-centre site brings road traffic and commercial activity, and new homes for older residents deserve particular care over sleep and comfort. The planning authority needed evidence that good internal conditions were achievable.
The Scheme
The redevelopment provides 42 retirement-living apartments on a town-centre site, close to local roads and everyday town activity.
The Noise Issue
Noise from the surrounding road network set the façade design. The challenge was to show compliant internal noise levels without forcing sealed windows and costly over-specification, while also dealing with overheating under Approved Document O.
What We Did
01
Carried out an environmental noise survey in December 2025.
02
Built a computer noise model to ISO 9613-2 to predict noise levels at each façade.
03
Completed a ProPG Stage 1 risk assessment and a BS 8233 assessment of bedrooms and living rooms.
04
Set out façade, glazing and ventilation requirements, plus overheating guidance following the Acoustics, Ventilation and Overheating (AVO) Guide.
The Result
42
Apartments assessed façade by façade
ISO 9613-2
Computer noise model of the site
BS 8233
Internal noise levels achieved
Planning Outcome
The assessment showed that BS 8233 internal noise levels can be achieved through good acoustic design at detailed design stage, without costly over-specification. Cumberland Council granted planning permission in October 2026 (FUL/2025/0183).
Related services and guides
BS 8233 residential noise assessments →
Decision details are taken from the council's public planning register and can be checked by searching the application reference on the council's planning portal. Client and site details are kept confidential.
