Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
• The duration and level of exposure.
8.2.13 For the purposes of this assessment, a quiet daytime fixed lower limit of 35dB L A90,10min has
been selected. For reference, the quiet daytime fixed lower limit selected for the neighbouring
proposed Harburnhead Wind Farm is 40dB(A) and 38dB(A) for Fauch Hill Wind Farm.
8.2.14 It should be noted that the limit derived from the quiet daytime periods of the baseline noise
survey, as defined in ETSU-R-97 and described in paragraph 8.2.11 above, should be
applied to the whole daytime period (0700 – 2300h) and should not be interpreted as allowing
higher operational noise levels outwith these hours.
Institute of Acoustics (IoA) Bulletin Article Volume 34 No. 2, March / April 2009
8.2.15 In the March/April 2009 issue of Acoustics Bulletin, published by the IoA, a group of acoustic
consultants considered specialists in their field produced a paper which aimed to standardise
certain elements of the assessment of noise from operational wind farms. The paper
addressed three main issues:
• To address local wind shear, measured background noise levels should be correlated
with derived and not measured wind speeds at 10 m above local ground height. A
methodology is described which has been applied for the purposes of this
assessment;
• The preferred method of prediction for the propagation of operational turbine noise is
ISO 9613-2. Particular attention is drawn to establishing whether the manufacturer’s
data obtained is warranted or otherwise which has an effect on the ground absorption
selected for the model. Guidance on assumed atmospheric conditions and assumed
barrier attenuation from topography is also provided; and
• There is agreement among the authors that there is currently no robust evidence that
low frequency sound, infrasound or ground borne vibration from operational turbines
adversely affect neighbouring sensitive dwellings.
8.2.16 The recommendations made in this article have been taken into account in this chapter; the
document is referred to throughout as the ‘IoA Bulletin article’.
British Standard 5228 (2009) Code of Practice for Noise and Vibration Control on
Construction and Open Sites Part 1: Noise
8.2.17 BS 5228 Part 1: Noise provides guidance, information and procedures on the control of noise
and vibration from construction sites. It includes a comprehensive best practice guide to
minimising the adverse effects of noise from construction sites and a database of plant and
activity noise levels for undertaking predictive assessments.
Construction and Decommissioning Noise and Vibration
8.2.18 Potentially noisy activities relating to wind farm construction include formation of access
tracks, crane pads, the construction compound and turbine foundations, erection of turbines,
site cabling and installation of the substation building/transformer.
8.2.19 Due to the transient and necessary nature of the works and large distances between the
development area and the closest identified dwellings, significant impacts are unlikely. A
qualitative assessment has therefore been presented which considers the implementation of
Best Practicable Means, as defined in the Control of Pollution Act (CoPA) (1974) to ensure
that noise associated with the works is minimised in so far as is reasonably practicable. It is
March 2013 8-3 ES Chapter 8
Noise
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