Agent Of Change In Action - Sustainable Living Means Finding Solutions To Tough Challenges
Updated: 16 hours ago
This article explores an example of ‘Agent of Change’ in action, which has gained permission after over 3 years of investigation and careful negotiation of the acoustic technical solution. This example has the potential to provide the benchmark for how to apply good acoustic design and Agent of Change principles to find creative and sustainable solutions to tough challenges.
Contents:
The Cumberland Arms Project
The Cumberland Arms is a culturally important venue in the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle. When a residential development was proposed in the area local to this venue, Sustainable Acoustics was instructed to provide acoustic advice to the Cumberland Arms, and competitor ‘Apex Acoustics’ advised the prospective developer. Ultimately, the efforts of both companies resulted in a technically agreed solution, which has provided the Council with the confidence to allow the development to go ahead.
The Story So Far...
The original concern for this project was that historically, the venue has never had any residents nearby. This means that it has been able to create noise from live music outside (up to 11 pm) regularly without disturbing residents.
The proposed development would drastically change this situation by placing at least 83 residential apartments in close proximity to the venue. This was bound to prompt complaints and ultimately threaten the Cumberland business and its ability to do what it had been able to do for years. This would be a metaphorical ‘own goal’ that would harm the values and cultural area of the Ouseburn Valley.
The Problem - Agent of Change vs. Noise Pollution Approach
Applying any traditional acoustic noise pollution approach would suggest that this development should not be allowed to go ahead without intervention, so a different approach was needed: an approach that appreciated that the entertainment sound coming from the Cumberland Arms venue was a valued part of the soundscape of the area, and that this vibrancy was prized and required protection.
Newcastle City Council remained insistent that windows should be openable within the new residential development, and that it would be under those conditions that any future nuisance complaint would be accessed.
The combination of these factors resulted in a stalemate. The site was going to be blighted by the noise pollution approach, and Agent of Change stood as the gatekeeper.
The Solution - A Sustainable Development Outcome
Sustainable Acoustics worked to define a robust operational acoustic baseline of the Cumberland Arms. This was not just over one or two events, but numerous, covering the full range of the offerings of the venue. This created a formalised Entertainment Acoustic Baseline, which was shared with the developer.
Apex Acoustics used this baseline to develop a scheme which facilitated the design of a full package of mitigation and good acoustic design practices to achieve low music sound internal levels (NR15 for the worst case). This design included alternative ventilation systems that did not mean residents would need to rely on opening windows.
The developer (Modobloc) took on the cost of the work (enabling both sides to continue developing a workable solution that could be put to Newcastle City Council).
Modobloc committed to funding a new sound system for the Cumberland Arms, which reduced the sound spill to the proposed site and so created a safety net for the design assumptions
Modobloc accepted that an easement would be entered into with the Cumberland Arms and undertook to make clear a "buyer beware" warning for future residents in the Deeds of the property, which would show up in any conveyancing.
Newcastle City Council Environmental Health agreed, in principle, that noise levels of no more than 5dB(A) above background levels for music outside the residential properties would be unlikely to result in a statutory nuisance occurring and recurring, even if windows were opened.
The Cumberland Arms agreed to set out their best practice in a Noise Management Plan, which defines how they will operate into the future in a way that recognises the reciprocity needed to be good neighbours.
The granting of permission for this development marks a moment where the Agent of Change principle can be said to have been applied in a way that delivers a truly sustainable development outcome, preserving vibrancy and cultural importance whilst allowing residents to live in the area near to the venue with appropriate protect provided to make the residential use viable.
Peter Rogers (MD of Sustainable Acoustics) said:
"This is a wonderful example of how acoustics can unlock the potential of sustainable development, without which it would not be possible"
The test will, of course, be when the apartments are built and occupied, but the acousticians are confident that this new approach to creating healthy soundscapes is a much better way to approach such challenges.
To find out more about this landmark project, follow this link to read the article "Ouseburn housing development approved despite worries for nearby pubs and music venues" written by the Chronicle Live.