Sports Pitch Noise presentation to the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC)

Today one of our directors, Daniel Oldaker, gave a presentation to the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) at their annual conference in Birmingham.

The presentation was on the work the control of sports pitch noise and based on the work we undertook for Sport England in developing the Design Guidance Note ‘Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) Acoustics – Planning Implications’.

Acoustic Consultants Limited were the principal noise and acoustics technical advisors on this document, and when we were made aware that AGP and MUGA use was among the topics being considered for today’s conference, we offered our services to the ANC to present on this topic using our considerable experience in the field.

All-weather pitches are becoming increasingly popular, and so the need for appropriate and accurate sport pitch noise assessments is also on the rise.

Daniel’s presentation discussed the importance of detailed, clear, and accurate noise assessments in supporting planning applications for new sports pitches. Not all locations are the same, and site-specific assessments need to be undertaken, not only to achieve planning but also to allow continued future use of the site with no adverse impact on the sensitive receivers in the area.

In the middle of a heat wave, we’re sure the highlight for many will have been the welcome relief of the venue’s air conditioning! In terms of the content it was interesting to gain other views on noise aspects of planning, including two excellent presentations from Rebecca Salmon (EHTO, Broxtowe Council) and Charley Wildman (EHO, Dudley Council) looking at noise implications from an Environmental Health Officer’s perspective.

The Sport England guidance has now been applied successfully on more than fifty sites around the country and we’re naturally proud that our work with Sport England has been well received. The presentations and general comment from the delegates at the conference were also broadly supportive of the advice contained in the Sport England guidance note.

The benefits of community development and accessible sports facilities are well documented, and here at Acoustic Consultants Limited we’re delighted that our work is having a positive impact on the development of AGP’s and the control of sports pitch noise to the surrounding communities.