A DEVELOPER will have to show five new homes to be built beside a “noisy” road have been soundproofed before anyone can move in.
Wayne Gregory has been granted planning permission for the five homes on the site of a derelict former workshop which as well as being on what has been officially designated as a “noisy road” is next door to a tyre fitters.
As a result, council planners have made it a condition of the permission that none of the homes can be occupied until post-construction noise readings have been submitted to and approved in writing by the council.
The readings will have to meet the recommendations of a noise impact report that was submitted as part of the application and demonstrated how “desirable” noise levels could be achieved, including a requirement for the building fabric to be upgraded.
‘Noisy road’
The report was required by the council as Snatchwood Road in Abersychan, Pontypool is defined as a ‘noisy’ road within a Welsh Government Noise Action Plan Priority Area and the former Artisan Precision Engineering site is next door to the Sam’s Tyres fitting garage.
Planning officer Justin Jones said residential homes shouldn’t be approved if they are likely to lead to complaints, such as noise nuisance, that would force an existing commercial use to stop. However the planned homes will be oriented away from the garage.
He said the assessment had shown road noise from the properties would be “high” which has required action to achieve “acceptable internal noise levels” including a mechanical ventilation system as an upper floor windows will have to be shut.
It was also found there wouldn’t be an unacceptable level of noise from the tyre fitters impacting the back gardens.
There would be two parking spaces, as well as two garages provided for plots one and five, for each home which is below the council’s guidelines but Mr Jones said, as the site is in a sustainable location close to shops and with bus links, the parking is considered acceptable.
Other conditions relate to potential land contamination and details related to access and road markings.