Environment > Air Quality and Noise
Air Quality
An air quality assessment of the site has been carried out according to the UK Air Quality Strategy (January 2000) and government air quality objectives.
The main pollutants measured at the site were nitrogen dioxide from the traffic and particulate matter. The highest levels of these were measured close to the roads.
A model has been created to predict the levels of these in the future. The model shows that after development the predicted levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter on the site will not exceed government guidelines.
During construction, dust may be produced, but this will only affect the development site and only exist during the building period. After construction, NorthBridge is very unlikely to have any negative effects on air quality – these have been assessed as minor to negligible.
Noise
Noise measurements and surveys were carried out on the site in 1998, 2000 and 2005 in accordance with the appropriate Government guidelines.
Levels of noise can be put into in Noise Exposure Categories (NEC), from A to D.
- NEC A is the lowest category of noise level and does not effect whether planning permission is granted.
- NEC B means that noise levels need to be considered and measures may need to be suggested to protect residents from its effects if planning permission is to be given.
- If NEC C is reached, this means that planning permission should normally not be granted for building homes, but permission can be given where protective measures are used.
- NEC D means that noise levels are too high for planning permission to be granted.
Road traffic noise was found to be the most dominant noise source on both occasions, which is expected due to the site location. Occasional noise from light aircraft was also noted. The A14 was resurfaced in 1999 and this resulted in noise levels reducing.
The volume of noise from nearby traffic varies from different areas within the site. When measuring noise levels from four areas within the site close to the roadside, one area was NEC A, two areas were NEC B and one area was NEC C. This last area is only 25 metres from the A141 where high noise levels are expected. We will not build any homes in this area.
In the areas which experience noise from the traffic, homes will be supplied with noise insulation packages, which will reduce noise levels by 20 or 30 decibels depending on their location.
Housing construction is not normally a noisy operation and it is not expected that the development process will create any significant disturbances to existing neighbours. During construction, all possible measures will be taken to reduce noise, and we will adopt the quietest building methods available. Where there is the chance that activities may be noisy, hours of operation will be limited to normal daytime hours so we don’t disturb existing residents.
In the future it is expected that whether the site is developed or not, the noise levels from traffic will increase. Noise levels were also measured from Stukeley Meadows and Hinchingbrooke Park in 2000. Levels reaching NEC B were taken at Stukeley Meadows, and the development is not likely to add to these levels any more than the increase which is normally expected with time. At Hinchingbrooke Park, NEC C was recorded.