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Noise

If noise disturbance does occur, GEL will implement a procedure to deal quickly and transparently with any complaints. All complaints will be logged, treated with the same genuine concern and an outcome delivered as soon as is practicably possible.

Four options will be available for members of the public to make a complaint:

  1. By phoning the site
  2. By email
  3. By letter
  4. Via parish councils or Cornwall Council.

Information you will need to provide:

  1. Your name
  2. Your address including your postcode.
  3. The best phone number to contact you on (landline or mobile).
  4. Your e-mail address if you have one.
  5. You will need to explain precisely and concisely why you are contacting GEL, with locations, times and the nature and duration of the noise disturbance.

Complaints will be dealt with in five steps, as follows:

  1. Capture – details of complaint recorded.
  2. Investigate – complaint will be investigated as soon as practically possible.
  3. Resolve – If the investigation demonstrates that site activity caused the noise disturbance the Drilling Manager and Supervisor will discuss with the drilling contractor available prevention and mitigation measures.
  4. Respond – GEL will respond to all complaints as quickly as practically possible.
  5. Closure – A complaint will only be closed once the complainant has been given a response and has confirmed that they are satisfied.

Best Practicable Means (BPM) measures to be implemented at the drilling site will be consistent with the recommendations of BS52281:2009+A1:2014 (the British Standard on noise) and will include the following:

  1. Potentially noisy non-essential activities will be prohibited at night
  2. Traffic movements will be restricted at night as far as possible
  3. Site-based vehicles will be fitted with white noise reversing alarms
  4. Equipment will be operated in a mode that minimises noise
  5. Use of loudspeakers and outdoor radios will be prohibited except for safety and urgent communication
  6. The site induction, which all visitors, contactors and members of staff must complete will include instruction on measures to minimise noise including voices and manual labour
  7. Short-term activities which may induce temporary elevated noise levels will be undertaken during daylight hours wherever possible
  8. Both fixed and movable acoustic barriers will be deployed.

During mobilisation and demobilisation of the drilling rig there will be a number of large vehicles arriving and leaving the site over a period of 10 to 14 days, these will be mostly during daylight hours unless the police require some movements to take place at night.

Vehicles that are used on the site will have their reversing beep disabled and instead use a white noise when reversing for the safety of personnel.

During the drilling phase continuous noise monitoring will be carried out using a network of sound level monitors (SLMs) at several locations; one on the main site and at least three at remote locations called receptors.

The main site SLM will measure noise close to the drilling rig for source identification purposes. The remote locations are chosen to collect representative data for the surrounding area, paying particular attention to the closest sensitive receptors and population centres.

The system is configured so that GEL personnel are sent automated notifications should the noise levels at the site or any of the receptor locations approach or exceed prescribed levels.

During drilling and well testing operations, 24 hour working is permitted. Day time noise emissions must not exceed 65dB LAeq, 1 hour, as measured 1 metre from the façade of any receptor and night- time noise emissions must not exceed 45dB LAeq, 1 hour, as measured 1 metre from the façade of any receptor. Noise limits vary depending on the day of the week and the time of day.

No, GEL must keep within set noise limits. Noise from the site will be controlled in accordance with conditions relating to noise emissions set out in the planning permission for each site. If GEL persistently exceeds maximum noise limits, the site could be closed while investigations take place, so it is important for the smooth running of a geothermal project that noise limits are adhered to.