Environmental Protection Memo Noise Assessment

Department of Environment, Food \& Agriculture

Environmental Protection Unit

Memo

To: Chris Balmer, Planning Officer From: Simon Renton MSc, AMIOA - Environmental Protection Officer Date: 12th July, 2013 Subject: PA 13/00401/C Additional use of garden music studio for teaching purposes

The proposed application is for retrospective use of a garden shed for music studio lessons, predominantly drums. On 26th June 2013 a demonstration of noise levels from drumming was carried out and noise measurements taken. Noise levels outside the shed, unless in the applicants garden directly adjacent the windows, was inaudible. This was due to drumming using the applicants Yamaha DTX Electronic Drum Kit with silicone gel heads which only produced noise levels inside the shed of between LAeq. Due to the sound insulation of the shed this was not measureable above background noise levels of approximately 40 dB LA90. Noise levels from bird song and traffic, although peaks were intermittent, were between LAeq measured in the garden.

Provided there is a planning condition that all drum lessons are carried out using the Electronic Drum Kit the resulting noise is likely to be virtually inaudible to adjacent local residents.