Acoustic services
Noise surveys, noise impact assessments and acoustic reports for planning, from a single heat pump to a multi-storey residential scheme, delivered by an MIOA consultant anywhere in the UK.
Every assessment is scoped to what the planning authority actually needs, measured with Class 1 equipment and written so planning officers, Environmental Health and your design team can act on it.
BS 8233 and ProPG
BS 4142
BS 5228
MCS 020(a)
How we work
“The right assessment is the one that answers the planning question: no more, and no less.”
01
We review the site, proposal and any planning or Environmental Health comments before recommending a survey, so you only pay for what is needed.
02
Class 1 sound level meters, representative day and night monitoring and in-situ measurements of the sources that matter.
03
Results tested against BS 8233, ProPG, BS 4142 or BS 5228, with 3D noise modelling where it adds certainty.
04
Clear mitigation, plain-English conclusions and support if the planning officer or Environmental Health comes back with questions.
Our services
Each service links to a full guide to what it involves, when it's needed and what the report includes. Not sure where to start? The section below matches common projects to the right assessment.
The core planning document where noise could affect future occupants or neighbours: survey, assessment and practical mitigation in one report.
Noise impact assessments →
Day and night monitoring for new homes near roads, railways and commercial uses, with façade, glazing and ventilation design.
Environmental noise surveys →
Air conditioning, refrigeration, extract and industrial sound assessed against the background level at the nearest homes.
Plant noise assessments →
Predictions, Section 61 support and attended or unattended monitoring through demolition and construction.
Construction noise monitoring →
MCS 020(a) checks and BS 4142 assessments for air source heat pumps that fall outside permitted development.
Heat pump assessments →
Acoustic assessments for padel courts and sports facilities, from ball strikes to floodlit evening use.
Padel noise assessments →
Which service do I need?
Most planning noise work falls into one of these situations. Each links to the service that usually answers it, or send us the details and we'll confirm the right scope.
Residential schemes exposed to transport or commercial noise need a day and night survey and a BS 8233 and ProPG assessment.
Environmental noise surveys →
New or replacement plant near homes is assessed against the existing background level so it can meet the council's limits.
Plant noise assessments →
Change-of-use schemes must show new homes won't suffer from noise from neighbouring shops, bars or plant.
Noise impact assessments →
Construction noise and vibration predicted, consented under Section 61 and monitored through the build.
Construction noise monitoring →
Standards we work to
A planning noise assessment is only as good as the standards it applies, and how carefully they're applied. These are the ones we use most, and what each is for.
If you're not sure which applies to your site, tell us about the proposal and we'll confirm the right approach before you commit.
BS 8233 and ProPG
Guidance on acceptable noise levels in and around new homes, used with ProPG to design layout, glazing, ventilation and gardens.
Residential development
BS 4142
Rates industrial and commercial sound, such as plant and machinery, against the existing background level at nearby homes.
Plant and industrial noise
BS 5228
Predicts, controls and monitors noise and vibration from demolition and construction sites.
Construction phase
ISO 9613-2
Calculates how sound travels outdoors, for 3D modelling of plant, sports and industrial noise and for testing mitigation before it's built.
Noise modelling
MCS 020(a) and Approved Document O
Permitted development checks for heat pumps, and the overheating rules that shape ventilation and glazing in noisy locations.
Heat pumps and overheating
Credentials
Every assessment is carried out and signed off by Mathew Vaughan MSc MIOA, a Full Member of the Institute of Acoustics.
Professional membership
Full Member, Institute of Acoustics (MIOA)
Equipment
Class 1 sound level meters
Field-calibrated on every survey
Sectors
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Leisure and sport
Care and education
Guides
Practical, plain-English guidance on noise surveys, standards and costs, written by Mathew.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions developers, architects and homeowners ask us most about noise surveys, assessments and acoustic reports for planning.
It depends on what could cause noise and who could be affected. New homes near roads, rail or commercial uses usually need an environmental noise survey and BS 8233 assessment; new plant near homes needs a BS 4142 assessment; building works may need a BS 5228 construction noise assessment. Send us the site address and proposal and we'll confirm exactly what's needed.
A noise survey measures the existing noise at a site. A noise impact assessment uses those measurements, and sometimes modelling, to judge whether a development is acceptable against the relevant standards and policy, and sets out any mitigation. Most planning reports include both.
BS 8233 gives guidance on acceptable noise levels inside and around homes and other buildings. Together with ProPG, it is used to design glazing, ventilation and outdoor amenity areas for new residential development. BS 4142 assesses the impact of industrial and commercial sound, such as plant and machinery, on nearby residents by comparing it with the existing background sound level.
Simple noise assessments can start from around £750, and a planning noise survey and report for a small-to-medium project commonly costs £1,000–£2,500+. The fee depends on how long monitoring needs to run, the number of measurement positions and what the council requires. We always provide a fixed-fee quote. Our guide to noise assessment costs explains the main price factors.
From a few hours for an attended survey of a single item of plant to several days of unattended monitoring for a residential scheme. Site visits can typically be arranged within 3–5 working days, and we confirm the survey duration and reporting programme with your quote.
Yes. We're based in Southampton and work throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands. See the areas we serve for local planning information.
Often not, if the installation qualifies as permitted development, which includes meeting the MCS 020(a) noise standard at the nearest neighbour. If it doesn't qualify, for example because of the unit's position, the property's listed status or local restrictions, planning permission may be needed and the council may ask for a noise assessment to BS 4142. Our guide to reducing air source heat pump noise covers the practical options.
Yes. We provide BS 5228 construction noise and vibration predictions, support with Section 61 applications, and attended or unattended monitoring during demolition and construction.
A planning noise report sets out the site and proposal, the relevant policy and standards, the survey methodology and equipment, the measured results, the assessment against the applicable criteria and any mitigation needed, such as glazing, ventilation, barriers or plant attenuation. See what a noise impact assessment report includes for a full breakdown.
Acoustic services
Send us the site address, drawings and any comments from the council or Environmental Health. We'll confirm exactly which assessment you need and send a fixed-fee quote, aiming to reply within 24–48 hours.
MIOA acoustic consultant · Class 1 instrumentation · Fixed fees · UK-wide
