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Cornwall Acoustics

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Cornwall Acoustics was formed in 2005 as a specialist independent consultancy. We have a wide range of clients from large national companies to individuals.

Our consultant Stuart Taylor BSc(HONS),MIOA is a corporate member of the Institute of Acoustics. He liaises closely with building control, local planning departments, law firms and other organisations.

Cornwall Acoustics specialise in Building and Environmental Acoustics.

We also act as Expert Witnesses in licensing applications, public inquires and statutory nuisance cases.

For more information on how we can help you please see our services section.

New Client

Simply call us with your query and we will give you advice on the best way forward.

You can always email and we hope to respond within 24 hours.

We give competitive quotes for sound Insulation testing in accordance with Approved Document E 2010.

Latest News

Penstowe Leisure Ltd V Cornwall Council

Penstowe successfully appealed against the service of an abatement notice (S80. EPA 1990) and were awarded all costs.

Cornwall Acoustics Acted on behalf of the Appellant.

CONTACT

Contact Us

Our Address

Cornwall Acoustics

21 High Street,

Delabole,

North Cornwall

PL33 9AA

Telephone:01840 212291

:0844 800 7735

Mobile: 075 845 194 75

email: info_cornwallacoustics.co.uk

SERVICES

Building

Building Acoustics

TestingCornwall Acoustics conducts Sound Insulation Testing in Accordance with Approved Document E 2010.We often carryout sound testing for large projects outside of normal working hours. This allows testing to be conducted without stopping your workforce.We will normally provide a paper and electronic copy of the certificates within 3 days of testing and after payment is received. Even though the sound insulation limits have been imposed for a number of years a number of buildings are still failing the requirements of the regulations. Some problems are simple to resolve, others such as over pouring floating screed floors, are more challenging such as flats with block walls and timber joist floors! In the event of a failure we will usually carry out a partial retest and determine the cause of poor sound transmission. We will then work closely with you to design and implement remedial measures and get you to pass. ScrollDesignIf you are thinking of buying an old building to convert or are in the midst of a project then contact us. We can look at the viability of the proposal, design the separating walls and floors, overcome flanking transmission and usually save you money. Failure is not an option. We are not sales people and act independently of any manufacturer, so you can be guaranteed you will only be installing items you need. Building control accept our design specification report as part of your application.We often conduct site visits to view the progress of the works and are available by phone outside of working hours to assist with any immediate problems. Cornwall Acoustics work closely with Architects and we will review and comments on plans where required.Our building expertise extends to commercial sectors such as health where sound insulation is required, needs upgrading or problems exist. For example we have resolved sound transmission problems between examination rooms. We also design mitigation measures to prevent noise breakout from pubs and clubs. For example we designed the ceiling system in the Corn Exchange Night Club, Camborne.Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss any building acoustics proposal or issue.

Environmental

Environmental Acoustics

Noise NuisanceStuart has acted as an Expert Witnesses in several Statutory Noise Nuisance appeals and in Public Entertainment Licence hearings. This involved, noise measurements, compiling expert evidence and being cross examined in court. See testimonialsIf you have being served a S.80 Notice, under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended). Please contact us immediately. If you have been warned or being investigated by the local authority in respect of noise nuisance we can help by liaising with them, Identifying problems and formulating mitigation measures. If you suffer a noise nuisance and can't seem to get anywhere with the perpetrator or with the local authority, we may be able to help given our level of expertise. We are happy to meet with the noise maker, discuss the case with the local authority on your behalf, conduct assessments and provide expert evidence should an amicable resolution not be achieved. Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Regulations (IPPC)Cornwall Acoustics conducts IPPC Assessments. We determine the level of risk of noise pollution as defined by the regulations and where necessary formulate control measures by adopting Best Available Technique (BAT) principles.

Planning

Planning

AppealsStuart Taylor has acted as an independnt expert in several public planning inquiries on behalf of the former Carrick District Council.ApplicationsIf you are making an application which will introduce a new noise source or increase an exisiting one, then a noise assessment may be required to form part of your submission. Cornwall Acoustics carryout acoustic surveys and compile expert reports to assist with your application. Our projects range from full scale industrial developments which require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to the installation of small items of plant which may require only a simple report. ScrollWhere residential development is being considered near to existing noise sources Cornwall Acoustics can look at the risk of harm to amenity and recommend control measures. We follow the latest planning policy guidance/ statements and use relevant British Standard measurement protocols. Planning Conditions Noise Limits Cornwall Acoustics can conduct surveys to ensure that you comply with any planning noise condition imposed on your development.Whether it may be a large quarry (MPS 2) or a small factory we can help. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information

Environmental

Planning

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PORTFOLIO

Building Acoustics Conversion Penzance.jpg

Building Acoustics

Rooms for Residential Use - Conversion of 3 Storey Victorian Property to Bed and BreakfastCornwall Acoustics designed the sound insulation specifications for the above project and submitted a report to satisfy building Control requirements. This was a difficult assignment because each guest room was a room for residential purpose and had to conform to the regulations in their own right. Each guest room floor and internal wall became a separating partition. The problem was compounded by internal load bearing studs which were off set and the entrance doors which were in close proximity. Using normal building materials, visiting and giving advice during construction we achieved fantastic results.Separating Walls : DnTw +Ctr 49 - 56dBSeparating Floors : DnTw + Ctr 55dB : LnTw 45dB L2 Limited - Corn Exchange Night Club ScrollL2 Limited employed our services during the refurbishment of the Corn Exchange Night Club and Sports Bar. The club had been closed under the previous ownership, due impart to noise complaints from residents and action taken by the local authority. We designed and specified sound control measures for the night club element, which included a new ceiling, upgraded walls etc. to minimise noise breakout from the club. We also worked with security determining the best entrances/ exits and devising safe layouts for double door systems. As far as we are aware the club has been operating with no complaints related to noise breakout from this part of the building.

Environmental

Environmental Acoustics

Penstowe Leisure Ltd v Cornwall CouncilPenstowe Leisure Ltd appealed against an abatement notice which was served on them due to allegations of noise emanating from their night club. Cornwall Acoustics reviewed all of the evidence, visited the site and submitted a proof of evidence on behalf of the appellant. Comments were also made on the skeleton arguments.At the two day contested hearing on the 17th and 18th February 2011 at East Cornwall Magistrates court sitting at Bodmin, Stuart gave expert noise evidence under cross examination.The magistrates decision notice dated 21st March 2011 states that "Based on the evidence before us and for the reasons set out above we are not satisfied that a statutory nuisance existed nor was likely to occur which would have led to "the Environmental Health Officer" having a duty to serve an abatement notice".The notice was accordingly quashed and full costs were awarded.IPPC - Dairy Crest ScrollCornwall Acoustics conducted a full site survey and noise measurements at the Davidstow Cheese making facility. As there were no noise conditions attached to the permit, appropriate noise limits were devised with guidance from H3 and other British Standards. These limits were agreed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The level of risk of noise pollution was determined and where high risk was calculated, control measures were formulated in line with the residual BAT condition. The EPA accepted the report's findings.

Planning

Planning & Acoustics

Perranporth Aerodrome - Planning Application for Change of use The former Carrick District Council Planning Department employed the services of Cornwall Acoustics to conduct an independent expert assessment, of noise from proposed maintenance activities within a hanger. We were also tasked to determine if more site noise would be caused from all sources, if an aircraft servicing facility was in use. A site survey and noise assessment was conducted for all sources. Noise limits for fixed plant machinery and power tools were set at 10dB below the background noise level LA90 when measured or calculated 3.5m from the nearest facade of any residential dwelling. Control measures were devised for the applicant for the one item of plant which did not meet target limits, planning conditions were also proposed and the application was recommended for approval by the planning authority. Stuart gave evidence to the planning committee at the public meeting. The aerodrome was subsequently given permission for change of use. There were over 50 objections to the proposal. Denzell Downs Wind Farm Application Scroll Cornwall Council has received an application for 5 additional windturbines to be installed at Denzell Downs. Cornwall Acoustics were employed by a local resident who has valid concerns over Amplitude Modulation Noise.The resident is already subjected to and caused material interference by noise from the existing Bears Down Wind Farm, which probably complies with the planning conditions imposed on the site based on the ETSU- R--97 Document.Stuart witnessed AM at the resident's property when he worked with the former North Cornwall Environmental Protection Service. However a measurement protocol did not exist to prove or disprove on the balance of probabilities that a statutory nuisance was likely to occur.The only protocol available was ETSU-R-97 which does not adequately cater for the affects of AM. Recent planning application appeals to High Court have set a new and welcomed president in applying conditions to attempt to control AM. The question will be whether the local authorities will have the resources to enforce conditions if necessary. Cornwall Acoustics have submitted a report to the Planning Authority on behalf of the residents, outlining major concerns based on previous government research reports which have investigated the site. Unfortunately a planning condition related to AM would not work at this for this application because the new wind farm would be operated by a different company to the wind farm already existng. This would make any planning condition unenforceable, especially given that AM already occurs and the existing site would not be subject to any new specific AM conditions. If you are thinking of making a planning application or if an application may affect your noise environment then please feel free to contact us to discuss the matter.

Building Acoustics
Environmental
Planning

ABOUT

Since 2005 Cornwall Acoustics client base and expertise has expanded rapidly. The company is now firmly established as a leading, Acoustic Consultancy in Cornwall

He finds his experience in the court room and dealing with barristers invaluable. It gives him the mindset to ensure that any investigation carried out, covers all angles and is sufficiently detailed to withstand cross examination should the need arise, no matter how remote the possibility. Stuart has worked on many large projects such as the Birmingham Northern Relief Road and the dual extension to the West Coast Main Line, gathering evidence for a Public Inquiry.In his last two court cases K.Wickett v Cornwall Council and Penstowe Leisure Ltd v Cornwall Council both Appellants were awarded costs. In Mr Wicketts case he was given compensation. Stuart acted and gave evidence on behalf of both Appellants. ScrollOne of Stuarts favourite cases in terms of public outcry was over the St Day bell, housed in the clock tower. A nearby resident had complained about noise nuisance and Cornwall Council was looking to stop it ringing despite it having done so for 175 years. Villagers were up in arms and made the BBC news pages.The council called in Cornwall Acoustics. After interviewing the complainant it was found that the noise was annoying because the bell did not sound properly and made a horrible din. We soon realised that the hammer cord to the clock work mechanism had been altered over time. We managed to fix the problem in what would have been a few minutes with a pair of pliers and an old coat hanger. However Stuart had to wait every half hour for the chime to check the tone. The resident was relieved we had solved the problem and withdrew their complaint.
Stuart Taylor was a founder member of Cornwall Acoustics and is the lead Acoustic Consultant. He has an honours degree in Biology and Environmental Science. In 1997 he started work in the field of acoustics and attained the post graduate diploma in, Acoustics and Noise Control in 1999. He is now a corporate member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA).He worked as an Environmental Health Technician for Walsall, Lichfield, and North Cornwall Authorities specialising in Noise control both from an Enforcement and Planning perspective. Stuart is well trained after attending many specialist seminars and courses to deal with acoustics and legal aspects. Although he cannot give formal legal advice, as he is not a trained solicitor.
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