Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 1/2011 Planning and Noise
8.2.5 This Planning Advice Note provides advice on the role of the planning system in helping to
prevent and limit the adverse effects of noise. Information and advice on noise impact
assessment methods is provided in the associated Technical Advice Note Assessment of
Noise. It is considered to reflect current advice from the Scottish Government.
8.2.6 PAN1/2011 and the associated TAN refer the assessor to the guidance set out in ETSU-R-97
to determine the effect of wind energy developments on nearby sensitive receptors. The TAN
makes reference to summary findings of the IoA Bulletin paper (see below) concerning
recommended methodology for assessing local wind shear and the propagation of sound
from operational turbines. It also refers to the agreement amongst the authors of the paper
that there is no robust evidence of the adverse effects of low frequency sound, infrasound
and ground borne vibration from operational turbines.
The Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines The Assessment & Rating of Noise
from Wind Farms (ETSU-R-97)
8.2.7 ETSU-R-97, published in September 1996, was the result of deliberations of the Working
Group on Noise from Wind Turbines, which was set up in 1993 by the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) to derive guidelines for assessing noise from wind turbines. It provides a
recognised and accepted method for assessing wind turbine noise and, in particular, for
setting external noise limits to protect residential amenity and prevent sleep disturbance.
8.2.8 The assessment considers predicted levels of operational turbine noise in relation to derived
limits across the relevant range of wind speeds, typically considered to be wind speeds up to
12m/s. The limit at each wind speed, when corrected to 10m above local ground height, is
derived in relation to prevailing background noise level. For quiet daytime periods, the limit
should be in the range of 35 – 40dB L A90,10min or 5dB(A) above measured background,
whichever is the greater. For night time periods, the limit should be 43dB L A90,10min or 5dB(A)
above measured background, whichever is the greater.
8.2.9 ETSU-R-97 allows for an increased lower fixed limit where residents are financially involved
with the wind farm development (page 66). There are no financially involved properties with
respect to the proposed wind farm.
8.2.10 The prevailing background noise level across the relevant range of wind speeds is
determined as the best-fit regression curve when the measured background noise values, in
10-minute periods (L A90,10min ), are plotted against concurrent average wind speed
standardised to 10 m above local ground height, also in 10-minute periods.
8.2.11 The quiet daytime periods are chosen to reflect times when people might be outside in their
gardens and are defined as:
• All weekday evenings from 6 pm to 11 pm;
• Saturday afternoon and evenings from 1 pm to 11 pm; and
• All day Sunday 7 am to 11 pm.
8.2.12 For the quiet daytime periods, the limit selected between 35 and 40 dB L A90,10min should
depend on:
• The number of dwellings in the neighbourhood of the wind farm;
• The effect of noise limits on the number of kWh generated; and
March 2013 8-2 ES Chapter 8
Noise
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