Expert Witnessing - Noise Probelms

Expert Witnessing

ADC's consultants have superb reputations as expert witnesses. At the initial opinion stage, we will have no hesitation advising a client if, in our view, they have a poor case as far as noise is concerned. Otherwise we will employ our considerable resources and analytical skills to establish and present impartial evidence at negotiations, council meetings, public inquiries and courts at all levels. We are approved/registered by various bodies and have been trained in many aspects of expert witnessing, including Single Joint Expert.

The range of work is quite varied and clearly links closely other areas of our work.

"The reason we won the apeal was in no small way due to your evidence. Your written submission was outstandingly the best and your performance on the witness stand was vastly superior to that of the oposing expert".

Planning-Licensing-Noise Nuisance-Noise Induced Hearing Loss-Forensic

Planning

Planning and noise - Industrial Planning and Noise - Residential

Planning applications for new developments need to be carefully considered by the Local Authority. The normal way to proceed would be to begin by assessing the general conditions of the site and the surrounding area and to use this to assess a rigorous model of the impact of the proposed site. A mine field of assessment standards, some of them contradictory, needs to be appropriately applied to the situation, and all findings presented in a suitable form to the Local Authority.

A period of negotiation may then follow, culminating in planning consent with acceptable conditions, or planning refusal (or consent with unacceptable conditions) and consideration of taking the proposal to appeal at public enquiry.

All of ADC's consultants have a vast range of experience with dealing with Local Authorities, preparing noise evidence for planning applications and appeals, and giving evidence at public enquiries. Case histories are available on request.

Our services include the following
• Site surveys in accordance with appropriate standards such as PPG 24, BS4142, WHO guide, and many more.
• Preparation of reports, including detailed specification and design of mitigation and noise control.
• Negotiation.
• Proof of Evidence writing.
• Attendance at council meetings and public enquiries.
• Negotiated settlements, meetings of experts, conditions.

Licensing

Various groups control licensing for liquor and public entertainment and the withholding, or conditioning of licenses is increasingly related to noise issues. Noise problems are typically music, mechanical services, and rowdiness in the street, for which there is little or no guidance as to acceptable levels. The reality is that the context plays an enormously important role in the perception of acceptability such as city centre bars with live music, versus discos at a village pub. Licensing issues are decided at council committee meetings or magistrates courts, with appeals at these and higher courts. All our epert witnesses are experienced at courts of all levels and ase histories are available on request.

ADC can offer the following services:
• Site surveys in accordance with appropriate standards such as PPG 24, BS4142, WHO guide, and many more.
• Preparation of reports, including detailed specification and design of mitigation and noise control.
• Negotiation.
• Witness Statements.
• Attendance at council meetings, magistrates courts, crown courts, etc.
• Negotiated settlements, meetings of experts, conditions.

Noise Nuisance

Noise nuisance cases arise usually as a result of a complaint, either directly, or via the Local Authority about noise of any type. Common examples are industrial noise, music noise from pubs and clubs, noise from patrons associated with pubs and clubs, aircraft etc. Also domestic noise problems are on the increase, such as from music, barking dogs, etc.

Very often the problems can be resolved through management or by noise control. When this is not practicable, however, or when the existence or severity of a noise nuisance is disputed, it becomes a contentious issue. The Local Authority may issue an abatement notice for a statutory nuisance or, on relatively rare occasions, a neighbour may serve a notice for a private nuisance.

It would normally be advisable to resolve the alleged nuisance, although there can be many reasons to appeal against the notice such as disagreement over the existence or severity of the nuisance, inadequate time scales, lack of clarity and specificity etc. Ultimately, an appeal against a notice will be resolved in a magistrates court.

ADC can offer the following range of services:
• Noise surveys to decisively identify and quantify the alleged nuisance and its main sources.
• Interpretation of assessment standards, design targets, and documents from the Local Authority
• Noise control.
• Project management.
• Negotiation.
• Witness statements and giving evidence in court.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Prolonged exposure to noise or "acoustic shock" (sudden very loud noise such as in call centre headsets) can lead to hearing damage and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). In most cases the damage is gradual and not noticed until it is relatively sever. The effect is one of social isolation and often a reduce ability to work. An Ear Nose and Throat consultant will usually identify if the type of hearing damage is likely to have been noise-induced and, together with the acoustic report, a case can be built or contested.

Noise induced hearing loss Industrial Deafness

ADC can offer the following services:
• Occupational noise surveys.
• Research and Modeling of past noise climates.
• Ear protection analysis.
• Modeling of exposure over a working life to date
• Modeling of typical hear loss due to exposure
• Witness statements and giving evidence in court.
• Single Joint Expert services.

Forensic

ADC's audio analysis expertise extends to forensic audio for both civil and criminal cases and problem solving. Most problems are based upon the allegation and denial that something was said. Often the acoustic environment, or the distances over which it was witnessed can confirm or reject the allegation as realistic or feasible. Recordings of speech can be enhanced for extra clarity and in specialist circumstances "finger printed" to the speaker. Also, equipment and machinery, etc can be identified through audio recordings and processing.

ADC's forensic audio services cover many aspects such as the following:

• Surveys of acoustic and ambient noise environments.
• Survey and recordings of speech, equipment, etc. Please note that we do not offer a covert audio recording service.
• Digital processing and analysis of audio recordings including the removal of background noise, tape hiss, mains hum, mechanical services noise, etc., speech enhancement etc. Please note that we do not offer voice finger-printing directly.
• Expert testimony and giving evidence in court.
• Single Joint Expert services.