How do we ensure there are no impacts from noise on neighbouring properties?

Within the Environmental Impact Assessment process, noise monitoring is undertaken to determine the minimum acceptable distance between nearest property and closest wind turbine. Background noise measurements have been undertaken across both 2023 and 2024 at separate locations in the area to provide a solid baseline data for the modelling at a set of suitable locations. Noise monitoring was also repeated in autumn 2024 to ensure data accuracy and to rule out any anomalous high background noise levels from certain properties and infrastructure.

The data has been used by windfarm design experts in Wardell Armstrong within a model which considers performance data from manufacturers against wind speed to create an estimation of noise at the receptor location throughout the full operating range of the turbines. Assessments are being undertaken in accordance with ETSU-R-97 and the Institute of Acoustics Good Practice Guidance for Wind Turbine Noise Assessments.

Wardell Armstrong has advised that the minimum distance between turbine placement and the nearest property would vary depending on the level of background noise.  ETSU-R-97 recommends no more than 5 decibels average (dBLeq90) is targeted above the background noise or a limit of 35dB on average is applied if background noise is very low at neighbouring properties. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) supported the use of ETSU-R-97 as best practice within their scoping response.

This information has been used in the site design process to determine the location of turbines on the site, as well as the maximum rating of the turbines. This is reflected in the hybrid design of the two available design options, which will be submitted in our planning application.

Additional information on the application of noise monitoring data is available on the UK Government (ETSU) and Institute of Acoustics (IOA) websites