In 2018 we helped The North Face secure a temporary event licence for their Pinnacle Project event on the roof of a multi-storey car park in the heart of Manchester.

In any urban setting like this, an event has the potential to cause noise disturbance to residents and businesses nearby. It’s important to agree noise limits with the Local Authority to control both the level of noise and the hours of exposure for residents. This needs to balance the requirements of the event (which generally will have live and/or amplified music), the amenity of residents, and a pinch of common sense in considering by how much noise levels can be allowed to increase for a ‘one off’ event.

There’s not much point setting noise limits, though, if you don’t know that you can meet them – and that’s where using an experienced acoustic consultant comes into play. We went through the following steps with The North Face to ensure the event passed without a hitch;

• Reviewing what the initial noise limit set by Manchester City Council means in terms of the noise levels that can be generated at the event, and whether this limit is acceptable given the nature of the event.
• Reviewing what can be done to reduce noise emissions from the event other than just turning down the music – we might be able to use some temporary screening, for example, or re-orient the stage area.
• Negotiating between the Local Authority and the Client to set a noise limit which respects the requirements of all parties.
• Writing a noise management plan (NMP) for the event, including what will be measured and how, and the mitigation measures which will be imposed by the Client to control noise levels. The NMP can include items such as how complaints about noise during the event will be handled, how the Client will ensure that noise levels are not exceeded.

We’ve worked on numerous events, from pop-ups to festivals. If you’d like to talk to us about how we can help you with event noise control just get in touch!

dBx Acoustics was thrilled to be part of the team behind the Beehive in York. A purpose-built centre, the Beehive is thought to be the first of kind in the country and it provides short breaks for children and young people with complex disabilities.

dBx Acoustics provided acoustic design advice as well as a planning noise impact assessment. The project was especially dear to Susan, dBx Acoustics director as both she and her daughter are autistic. Susan is also a member of the Institute of Acoustics Diversity and Inclusion committee.

The facilities at the Beehive include:

• a safe and accessible space for play and interaction with family members and with staff
• apartments for children and parents to stay in during longer term assessment of their support needs
• access to a range of professionals who can help to support families in meeting the children’s needs
• spacious bedrooms with state-of-the-art hoist and bathing facilities for children who have complex health needs and wheelchair users
• a larger, open-spaced area and bedrooms for children with learning disabilities or autism
• quieter self-contained areas that can be used for children who may struggle in a more open, busier environment and where their parents can accompany them so that their needs can be fully assessed
• an activity area, sensory room and quiet rooms
• a large outdoor play space with a variety of equipment suitable for children of all abilities.

Find out more about the Beehive here.