The Boston Alternative Energy Facility Order 2023

Control of operational noise

19.—(1) Prior to commissioning of any part of Works Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 a written noise monitoring scheme must be submitted to and approved by the relevant planning authority, such scheme must specify—

(a) each location from which noise is to be measured;

(b) the method of noise measurement, which must be in accordance with British Standard 4142:2014 +A1:2019;

(c) the maximum permitted levels of noise at each agreed monitoring location which must not exceed the defined limits to demonstrate compliance with government and local policy on noise;

(d) provision requiring the undertaker to take noise measurements as soon as possible following a reasonable request by the relevant planning authority and to submit the measurements to the relevant planning authority as soon as they are available; and

(e) a definition of the circumstances that constitute an emergency for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (2)(a), (3) and (5).

(2) The level of noise at each monitoring location must not exceed the maximum permitted level specified for that location in the scheme, except—

(a) in the case of an emergency (as defined in the noise monitoring scheme);

(b) with the prior approval of the relevant planning authority; or

(c) as a result of steam purging or the operation of emergency pressure relief valves or similar equipment of which the undertaker has given notice in accordance with sub–paragraph (3).

(3) Except in the case of an emergency, the undertaker must give the relevant planning authority 48 hours’ notice of any proposed steam purging or operation of emergency pressure relief valves or similar equipment.

(4) So far as reasonably practicable, steam purging and the operation of emergency pressure relief valves or similar equipment may only take place—

(a) between 0900 and 1700 hours on weekdays (excluding bank holidays); and

(b) between 0900 and 1300 hours on Saturdays (excluding bank holidays).

(5) Where the level of noise at a monitoring location exceeds the maximum permitted level specified for that location in the approved scheme because of an emergency—

(a) the undertaker must, as soon as possible and in any event within two business days of the beginning of the emergency, submit to the relevant planning authority a statement detailing—

(i) the nature of the emergency;

(ii) why it is necessary for the level of noise to have exceeded the maximum permitted level;

(b) if the undertaker expects the emergency to last for more than 24 hours, it must inform local residents and businesses affected by the level of noise at that location of—

(i) the reasons for the emergency; and

(ii) how long it expects the emergency to last.