Page 259 - Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy: Environmental Report

Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy:
Environmental Report
7.6 Noise
This section outlines the effects specifically concerning human receptors of noise associated
with prospective renewable energy generation developments on Alderney. Baseline
information is provided in Section 7.6.1 and the potential impacts are assessed in
Section 7.6.2.
7.6.1 Baseline Description
Noise is typically defined as an unwanted sound event, with some noises considered disturbing
in terms of their effect(s) on receptors. During planning procedures, any potentially unpleasant
noise can lead to distress from residents, local people and businesses (including those reliant
on recreation and tourism activities, see Section 7.5). However, there are currently no
quantifiable datasets available regarding present day noise levels on Alderney, primarily
attributed to the lack of major sources of noise on the island (ARE, 2011). With regards to
prospective energy generation developments on Alderney, particularly those planning to
harness wind (onshore) and tidal (offshore) energy, there are numerous potential sources of
noise that should be addressed. For example, this includes (but is not limited to) increased
traffic levels and construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning activities. Thus,
the possible effects of noise on the terrestrial and marine environment (e.g. marine mammals,
invertebrates, birds) should be reasonably addressed during each EIA process. This section
focuses on likely human receptors of noise; refer to Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 for information
relating to the possible effects of noise on fish and shellfish, ornithology and marine mammals,
respectively.
The human environment is typically terrestrial, but can also overlap marine settings; therefore,
humans can be considered susceptible to noise inputs from both land and sea. However,
humans are predominantly land-based and time spent at sea is generally transient in nature
(GREC, 2011). In general, noise sensitive (human) receptors are likely to include schools,
hospitals, places of worship and other community facilities (EMEC and Xodus AURORA, 2010).
Potential noise sensitive receptors in Alderney include residential dwellings, farms, parkland
and conservation areas, industrial, commercial shopping and traffic areas, public buildings
(offices, libraries, museums) and the Glacis recycling centre near Crabby (the latter highlighted
through consultation) (ARE, 2008). As well as spatial considerations, the sensitivity of
receptors may also be linked to temporal factors; particularly should works be planned for
unsociable times. The primary sources of anthropogenic noise on Alderney include the
electricity generating station, road traffic, air traffic (i.e. aircraft) and shipping/boat traffic.
Natural causes also add to ambient noise levels on Alderney, including wind, tides, waves,
precipitation and biologically originated (e.g. birds, terrestrial mammals and insects) (GREC,
2011). Despite no data sources being identified on current noise levels on Alderney, source
levels would be expected to represent typical rural coastal environments.
There are numerous British and international standards related to the effect of noise on human
receptors that may be pertinent to wind and tidal energy developments on Alderney (EMEC
and Xodus AURORA, 2010), some of which are listed below:
R/4001/7 235 R.2129