Claims that ‘deafening’ noise from a Wigan borough ‘cruise ship’ warehouse site is above permitted levels as ‘acoustic fencing is totally inadequate’

This week, videos shot from homes next to the Astley Business Park logistics site appear to show noise levels above that allowed on construction sites.

Mitigation work to reduce the noise – bunds and “acoustic fencing” – are “totally inadequate,” campaigners claim.

“As useful as a chocolate fire-guard springs to mind,” one person said.

Several residents, some of whom have gardens just 30m from the 350,000ft sq logistics site, have previously criticised the huge scale and appearance of the “towering warehouses.”

Incidents of flooding on nearby paths and gardens have also occurred over the winter with complaints that run off from the construction site was causing the issues.

The footage, shot from back gardens close to the site at around 10.30am on Wednesday, February 25 appears to show noise levels exceeding nationally recommended upper levels.

In the UK, construction noise levels are primarily managed under the BS 5228 code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction sites. 75 decibels (dB) is typically used as an upper assessment threshold for daytime construction noise at the nearest occupied building in urban areas, near main roads or heavy industrial areas.

For quieter rural or suburban areas, the limit is often lower, around 70 dB.

A decibel reading taken by a member of the Astley Warehouse Action Group on Withington Drive appears to show an average noise level of 77dB over a 23-second period with a maximum level of 82.9dB.

Another clip taken from a property on Thistle Croft also appears to show the high level of noise from the site that neighbours say they are experiencing.

Wigan Council, which is responsible for enforcement of any breaches of planning conditions, said any reported complaints will be properly investigated.

John Peters represents the Astley Warehouse Action Group. He said “The 75 decibel maximum was clearly breached on the video.

“There were some readings over 80. It’s deafening at times for those living close by and we’ve still got to experience the full impact of this as currently we’re in the last few weeks of the construction phase.

“We’re thinking ‘what’s next?’ when they start to be operated on a 24/7 basis. We are going to use some of our fundraising money to get our own independent noise assessment.

“We’re hoping to demonstrate that the noise levels that were predicted on the planning portal are inaccurate and and that the mitigation to reduce the noise, that being the bunds and the acoustic fencing are totally inadequate.

“‘As useful as a chocolate fire-guard springs’ to mind.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands construction is nearing completion.

That work includes installing palatine fencing, drainage, landscaping, creating block paving and installing electric vehicle chargers and bike sheds.

The Astley Business Park noise assessment, submitted as part of the planning approval for the warehouses, was produced by Tetra Tech Ltd.

The report, which was published on Wigan council’s planning portal, predicted construction noise levels at nearby residential properties would be below the recommended noise limit of 75dB.

Their noise level predictions assumed a solid hoarding totalling a height of two metres would be located around the edge of the development during the construction phase.

The report said: “The results indicate that the noise levels at the façades of the existing noise sensitive properties would be within the recommended criteria.

“Noise levels within the fixed limit criteria are likely to result in internal conditions where conversation would not be difficult.”

In July last year, developer of the site, PLP, announced that Whistl had signed a 15-year lease for 140,000 square feet of the Astley site. They are set to be the first occupiers at the logistics park.

Last month, Whistl applied for a goods vehicle operator’s licence to keep 60 goods vehicles and 95 trailers at Unit 2, Astley Business Park.

A Wigan Council spokesperson said: “We take all residents’ concerns seriously and any reported complaints will be properly investigated in line with our responsibilities as the local authority.”

At the time of publication, developers PLP had not responded to a request for comment.