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Noise Mapping & Modelling

Noise Mapping and Modelling is an extremely powerful tool to evaluate and emulate various noise environments and enables the visualisation of sound propagation in a given environment.

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Noise Mapping & Modelling

Expert acoustic consultancy, delivered across the UK.

Noise mapping and noise modelling are computational techniques used to predict and visualise the distribution of noise levels across a site or geographic area. NOVA Acoustics produces noise maps and acoustic models using Soundplan modelling software for planning applications, environmental impact assessments, noise action plans, and acoustic design.

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What our clients have to say

“I plucked this company out of the air and I am so glad I did. Jaime has been most helpful and produced a report within a short time scale. The service has been first class and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending NOVA acoustics.”

– Arnot Wilson

“We commissioned NOVA to conduct a sound test at our new house. From the get go Adam was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. It is rare to meet professionals like that, who also go above and beyond to help and guide you through the process.”

– Na’ama Zisser

“The engineer who conducted the testing was friendly, professional and incredibly thorough. Overall I would say that NOVA provided an outstanding service from start to finish and I would not hesitate to recommend them.”

– Joe Bentley

“Really pleased with the service received from NOVA Acoustics on a recent noise risk assessment of our production room. The engineer Tom was great throughout and the report was clear and has made managing our noise control measures simple and effective.”

– Daniel Pontin

“NOVA Acoustics have been beyond helpful. Super speedy response and excellent communication. The noise impact assessment has been completed at a very fair price, and I’m really happy I chose NOVA Acoustics for the job.”

– Kelly Creates

“I used NOVA for acoustic reports for a project I’m working on converting retail units to residential, they was prompt, informative and well priced. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.”

– Peter Goldthorpe

“We have used NOVA Acoustics for a sound testing for installation of a new floor. Tom the engineer was very thorough, prompt and professional.”

– Anna Jóga

“Ryan and his team were very professional, installing monitoring equipment regarding a proposed planning application. We can definitely recommend NOVA Acoustics Ltd.”

– Pauline Whittle

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

Visualise Noise

Model Scenarios

Clear Conclusions

Pre & Post Mitigation

Jargon Free & Clear

Data Driven Decisions

Who We Work With

House Builders

Property Developers

Architects & Contractors

Homeowners

Project Managers

Housing Associations

Exclusive benefits for trade customers.

Designed to support busy professionals, our trade accounts provide competitive rates, responsive project assistance, priority scheduling, and personalised service from enquiry to completion.

Local knowledge. National coverage.

Trusted expertise. Nationwide service.

Our experienced acoustic consultants support residential and commercial projects across the UK, delivering expert advice backed by responsive local service.

Why choose NOVA Acoustics?

What This Service Covers

Site-specific noise survey to inform model inputs

3D acoustic modelling using SoundPlan

Noise contour mapping for single or multiple sources

Scenario testing (with and without proposed mitigation)

Predicted noise levels at identified sensitive receptors

Outputs suitable for planning submissions, BS4142 assessments, and environmental permit applications

What Is Noise Mapping and Modelling?

Noise mapping and modelling is a way of visualising how sound travels across a site or area, taking into account the position of noise sources, the layout of buildings and terrain, and the location of nearby receptors such as homes, schools, or offices. The output is typically a noise contour map, showing predicted noise levels as bands of colour across the area being studied, alongside tabulated predicted levels at specific points of interest.

Unlike a single-point measurement, which tells you the noise level at one location at one moment, a noise model lets you explore “what if” scenarios. What happens to noise levels at the nearest houses if a new access road is built? How much difference would a 3-metre acoustic barrier make to noise levels at a school playground? Noise modelling answers these questions before anything is built, which is why it’s such a valuable tool at the planning stage.

When Is Noise Modelling Used?

Noise modelling supports a wide range of projects and assessment types. It’s commonly used for master planning and strategic environmental assessments, where the cumulative noise impact of multiple developments or land uses needs to be understood across a wider area. It also plays a central role in industrial and plant noise impact predictions, where the noise from new or modified equipment needs to be assessed against the existing noise climate, often as part of a BS4142 industrial noise assessment.

For road and rail noise assessments, modelling helps predict how new transport infrastructure, or changes to existing infrastructure, will affect noise levels at nearby properties. And for mitigation design, noise modelling allows proposed measures such as barriers, screening, bunds, or glazing specifications to be tested in the model before they’re built, confirming they’ll achieve the required reduction.

How We Produce a Noise Model

It’s worth understanding the distinction between noise addressed under an Environmental Permit and noise dealt with as a statutory nuisance under separate legislation. Noise conditions within an Environmental Permit are set and enforced by the Environment Agency as part of the permit itself, focused on preventing pollution from the regulated process.

Statutory nuisance, by contrast, is typically a matter for the local authority’s environmental health team and applies more broadly to noise that unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of land, regardless of whether a permit is involved. A site can, in principle, be compliant with its permit conditions while still facing a statutory nuisance complaint, which is why a clear understanding of both frameworks is valuable.

Typical Outputs

A noise mapping and modelling project typically produces a noise contour map showing predicted levels across the study area as colour-banded zones, tabulated predicted noise levels at specific receptor locations, and where relevant, scenario comparisons showing the effect of proposed mitigation.

These outputs are designed to be suitable for inclusion in planning submissions, BS4142 noise impact assessments, and Environmental Permit applications, and are presented in a format that’s accessible to planning officers and non-technical reviewers as well as acousticians.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is noise mapping and modelling and why is it used?

Noise mapping and modelling is a way of predicting how sound will behave across a site or area before anything is built or changed, using software to simulate noise sources, terrain, buildings, and receptor locations. It’s used to understand the likely noise impact of a proposal, test mitigation options, and produce evidence for planning and permitting applications.

What software do you use for noise modelling?

We use SoundPlan, a leading 3D acoustic modelling software, which allows us to model complex environments with multiple noise sources and reflective surfaces and produce detailed noise contour maps and predicted levels at specific locations.

When is a noise model required for a planning application?

A noise model is often required where a proposed development could be affected by, or could itself generate, significant noise, particularly for sites near busy roads, railways, or industrial sources, or for developments that include new plant or infrastructure likely to generate noise. Your planning authority or our consultants can advise whether modelling is appropriate for your specific application.

How accurate is noise modelling compared to on-site measurement?

A well-calibrated noise model, informed by a site-specific noise survey, can provide highly reliable predictions. The on-site survey data is used to validate the model against real conditions, which significantly improves accuracy compared to a model built purely from theoretical inputs. That said, a model is a prediction tool, and its outputs are interpreted alongside professional judgement.

Can noise modelling be used to test the effectiveness of a noise barrier or screen before it's built?

Yes, this is one of the most valuable applications of noise modelling. We can run scenarios showing predicted noise levels both with and without a proposed barrier, screen, bund, or enclosure in place, helping confirm whether a proposed mitigation measure will achieve the reduction needed before any money is spent on construction.

What information do you need from us to build a noise model?

This varies by project, but typically includes site plans or drawings showing the layout and any proposed buildings or infrastructure, details of the noise sources to be modelled (such as plant specifications or traffic data), and the locations of receptors you’d like assessed. We’ll also usually carry out a site-specific noise survey to inform and validate the model.

Can noise mapping cover multiple noise sources at once, such as road traffic and an industrial site?

Yes. SoundPlan is designed to handle complex environments with multiple sources and reflective surfaces, so a single model can incorporate road traffic, rail, industrial plant, and other sources together, showing their combined effect on the surrounding area.

What standards do you follow when producing noise models for planning?

The relevant standards depend on the type of noise being modelled, for example road traffic noise and industrial noise are assessed against different reference methodologies. Our consultants will confirm the appropriate standards for your specific project as part of the assessment scope.

Where do you provide noise mapping and modelling services?

We provide noise mapping and modelling services for developers, planners, and local authorities across Leeds, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Cambridge, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol, and Hull.