Craigavon houses approved despite noise concerns
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of five dwellings on lands at Lake Road, Craigavon, despite concerns over noise levels, given the close proximity of carriageways at both ends of the site.
The properties, which will include four semi-detached units and one detached home, will be built to the east of the A27 Roundabout 2.
The planning application was lodged by Alan Patterson Design LLP on behalf of Merchants Estates Ltd, Lurgan.
Lurgan councillor, Peter Lavery wrote to ABC Planning officers on August 14, 2021, expressing the following concerns: “In my view due to the nature of these sites being in the middle of a dual carriageway, the residential amenity of anyone living in these houses would be so negatively impacted that it would deliver the residents an unacceptable quality of life.
“The previous application awarded for this site was done so in error, in my view for the same reasons. Indeed, it is well known that the previous residents of the site and his brother constantly had to put up with high noise levels due to the continuous flow of traffic.
“As the Craigavon area is steadily increasing in population, so too will the number of vehicles using the dual carriageway, which will further add to the impact on residential amenity over the coming decades.”
ABC Environmental Health Department acknowledged the concerns and noted that mitigating measures are proposed.
They wrote: “This site is located in close proximity to a major road network and as such will be impacted by road noise and emissions.
“The additional noise impact information demonstrates that in order to mitigate the road noise impact, an acoustic barrier will be required along the boundary of the site.
“Furthermore, it is concluded that in order to provide a suitable internal noise climate, it will be necessary to ensure that a sound-level reduction is achieved between the external and internal noise levels, whilst maintaining adequate ventilation.
“The applicant’s consultant has proposed attenuated glazing systems and mechanical ventilation systems.
“On the basis that the proposed measures are fully incorporated into the proposed development, ABC Environmental Health Department would have no further objections, and instead would suggest that planning conditions be attached to any permission granted.
“The site is lands at Lake Road to the east of A27 Roundabout 2 and approximately 90m north of 127 Pinebank, Tullygally. It can best be described as an island of land of mature vegetation surrounded on three sides by the Lake Road and cycle track through the middle.
“Officers are of the opinion that the retention in perpetuity of the site’s existing natural screenings and the proposed planting of native-species hedgerow will soften the visual impact of the development and assist in its integration with the surrounding area.
“Prior to occupation of any dwelling within the proposed development, an acoustic barrier shall be erected on the boundary. The acoustic barrier shall have a minimum self-weight of 15 Kg/m2 and there shall be no gaps along its length.
“The acoustic barrier shall be retained in perpetuity and any boards that are damaged or removed shall be replaced to the same specification within 10 days of their removal.
“No dwelling hereby approved shall be occupied until noise mitigation measures which include attenuated glazing units and silenced mechanical ventilation systems have been fitted.”