Latest news with #soundproofing
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Music venues subject to noise complaints to get ‘greater protection'
Music venues that are subject to noise complaints by nearby residential developments will be offered 'greater protection' under new government plans. The measures, which are set to be introduced under the national licensing policy framework, would mean developers taking responsibility for soundproofing flats and apartments near existing pubs or music venues. The changes are designed to stop the kinds of rows that have seen pubs and gig venues dogged by complaints from people who live in homes built within earshot. Night & Day cafe in Manchester was issued a noise abatement notice by Manchester city council in November 2021 due to complaints from neighbours about loud music at night. The nearly three-year-long row concluded with the venue being told to impose restrictions that limited noise late at night to a reasonable level. The case has led to a growing concern among venues on new developments being built locally, opening up the opportunity for noise complaints from future tenants. The Music Venue Trust said earlier this year that one grassroots music venue closed every two weeks in 2024. Plans for a new office block next to the Prince Albert pub in Brighton were approved on appeal in January, after being refused in November 2023. A petition against the scheme garnered more than 22,000 signatures, claiming the pub was at threat of permanent closure, with DJ Fatboy Slim performing at the venue in 2023 to highlight its cultural importance. George Taylor, a co-landlord of the Prince Albert, said that he saw restrictions imposed on the new offices as a 'win', including a requirement for them to close at 8pm when music typically starts at the venue next door. He said he wanted to see more independent monitors in place to support venues in the UK, including within the new soundproofing measures being introduced. Taylor said: 'With the soundproofing, in theory it sounds great but to manage and look after it, it's supposed to be an independent person. If it's the company that built the building that hires the person to do it, they could be biased as they are on their payroll.' He added: 'Our point is that once the building goes up and if they haven't done the soundproofing, the council won't make them rip the walls down and put it in.' London-based gig venue Moth Club has also seen support from a 20,000-strong petition against two separate planning applications for new blocks of flats beside it. The venue said the blocks, which are due to be considered by Hackney council in the coming months, would have 'devastating consequences' for the future of the club. The new protection will be ushered in under the 'agent of change principle', with the Department for Business and Trade saying it will consider further options to support established venues under the new framework. Other measures in the overhaul include simplifying the process of opening and operating hospitality venues, scrapping local rules that delay small businesses from opening. The business and trade secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: 'Red tape has stood in the way of people's business ideas for too long. Today we're slashing those barriers to giving small business owners the freedom to flourish.' New 'hospitality zones' are also envisioned, with more leniency on permissions for street parties and extended opening hours to usher people back on to high streets. Speaking on the new changes, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said pubs and bars were 'at the heart of British life'. Reeves said: 'For too long, they've been stifled by clunky, outdated rules. We're binning them – to protect pavement pints, alfresco dining and street parties – not just for the summer, but all year round.'
BBC News
24-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Man to soundproof home over Leeds Bradford Airport night flight noise
A man living beneath an airport flightpath has said he is soundproofing his home due to being "woken during the night" by Hemmingway lives in Otley near Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), which was told this week it must limit the number of night flights it Hemmingway said he was installing acoustic glass in his bedroom windows to reduce the noise from said it was working with Leeds City Council, which enforces night flight rules, to "determine the best path forward". Mr Hemmingway is a member of the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA), which claimed the airport had breached its night flights limit in each of the past three is currently permitted 2,920 take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 07:00 during the summer, and 1,200 in the bosses had wanted newer aircraft to be exempt from the cap, as well as smaller planes and flights which had been delayed.A public inquiry took place in March and April to determine the legal meaning of the night-time flying rules, after which Leeds City Council issued a Breach of Condition Notice against LBA. The airport then made three applications to the council to persuade it to reinterpret the meaning of the local night flight planning conditions, making a large number of its planes exempt from the council rejected the appeal on Hemmingway, who moved to his property with his wife two years ago, said the planes "wake us during the night and then we get a clutch of flights around about 6 in the morning, if we haven't been woken before then"."Usually there are flights through the night, around 2am as well."He said the disruption was worse than they had expected. "It can happen two or three times in the night, and sometimes you get back to sleep and sometimes you don't," he said the soundproofing measures would be installed next week."The windows are being replaced, the windows in the bedroom are going to be acoustic glass, which is much more expensive."It is a special glass that has a coating on it, that distorts the sound signal from the plane, so that you don't hear it through the window." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
We moved to the city and can't bear the noise: What's the best way to soundproof our home?
We've recently moved from a rural area to a large city for my new job. The house we've bought is semi-detached and on a fairly busy road. There are also lots of neighbours nearby which we're not used to. What's the best way to soundproof our house from noisy neighbours and road noise? How much could this all cost and is any planning permission needed? Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: It is no surprise that you are wincing at the increase in noise having moved from a rural idyll to the inner city. Sound can travel in two ways. The first is through the air, such as people talking across a room, while the second is via impact vibrations, like footsteps on floorboards. Many houses in Britain have thin walls, floors and ceilings without adequate soundproofing or insulation. If you are willing to put the money into it, there are a myriad of soundproofing options available. You can soundproof walls, ceilings, doors and even floors. I asked two experts for their advice. Clive Holland, a broadcaster on Fix Radio, says: Moving from a rural area to a busy city street can definitely make noise a bigger issue, especially in a semi-detached house where neighbours are close by. The best way to soundproof your home is to take a comprehensive approach - addressing windows, walls, floors and doors. This will help create a much quieter and more comfortable living environment. I'd start with the windows and doors, as these are often the main entry points for noise. Upgrading to double or triple glazing can make a huge difference in cutting down outside noise. For a typical semi-detached house, replacing all the windows might cost between £4,000 and £7,000 depending on the size and type of glazing you choose. Sealing any gaps around window frames and doors with draught-proofing strips or acoustic seals is also important. Next, I'd look at the walls. Many older properties lack proper sound insulation, so adding acoustic panels or building a new internal stud wall with insulation can help a lot - as well as keep in warmth. It usually costs between £50 and £100 per square metre, depending on the materials and whether you hire a professional. Bear in mind that internal wall insulation will reduce your room size a little, so you'll want to plan carefully. Floors are another big factor. If you have suspended timber floors, adding insulation underneath and using carpets with a thick underlay can absorb noise effectively. For concrete floors, acoustic underlays or floating floors designed to reduce sound work well. Costs vary but expect to spend at least £1,000 depending on the size of the area and method chosen. Ceilings shouldn't be forgotten either, especially for those who get noise from upstairs neighbours. Adding soundproofing layers beneath the ceiling using resilient bars and acoustic plasterboard is effective, though it can be more disruptive and costly. Additionally, internal soundproofing generally doesn't require planning permission since you're not changing the exterior. However, if you're thinking of external changes like secondary glazing or cladding, it's wise to check with the local council first. All told, a full soundproofing job from top to bottom could cost between £8,000 and £20,000 depending on the size of your home and the work involved. It's a big investment but well worth it for peace and quiet. I'd recommend getting a professional survey and quotes to find the best solution for your property. Phil Lyons, managing director of The Soundproofing Store, says: Most domestic noise travels through common routes. In terraced or semi-detached houses, noise often comes through shared party walls, carrying the sounds of voices, TV or music from next door. In flats, ceilings and floors can transmit footsteps and other impact noise between levels. Even within your own home, internal stud walls and timber floors can let noise pass from room to room. And of course, windows and doors are often the weak points when it comes to traffic and street noise outside. You will need to break the link between the walls and the soundproofing layers to stop sound vibrations travelling through. Use specialist soundproofing fixings as they isolate soundproofing layers from the offending wall. Soak up sound vibrations using elastic, damping materials or closed cell foam. You can also increase the density of the wall with heavy materials like mass loaded vinyl, FlexiSound and acoustic plasterboard to block airborne noise. The great thing about soundproofing your wall is that soundproofing works both ways. If you can hear your neighbours, most often than not they can also hear you. Soundproofing one side of the party wall achieves quiet and privacy for both homes. When it comes to road and street noise, windows and doors are often the most vulnerable areas. Upgrade to well-fitted, high-spec double or triple glazing with acoustic glass, or adding secondary glazing if replacing the windows isn't an option. It's also crucial to make sure window and door frames are properly sealed to prevent sound leaking through gaps. Costs for soundproofing vary depending on the size of the area involved. Soundproofing is an investment in your health and well-being. Done properly, you'll only need to do it once, and the improvement in your quality of life is priceless. An expert will be able to provide you with a tailored quote. You don't need planning permission to soundproof internal walls, floors, or ceilings as it's considered internal home improvement. If you plan to change windows on a listed building, check with your local council first, as you may need consent. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bredy Farm in Dorset granted permission to play late night music
A farm that holds regular live events has been granted permission to play music until 02:00 at the Council has extended the previous limit at Bredy Farm in Burton Bradstock by two hours until next May to test whether new soundproofing has been business said the application aligned its barn hours with its festival licence, and that it installed additional soundproofing to be good application was opposed by the parish council and some neighbours, though several people who have stayed at the farm wrote to support the change. The supporters praised how safe the site was and how it also boosted the local nearby campsite Graston Copse said people who visited for rural peace and quiet had been disturbed until the early hours by Mark Havelock-Allan, the closest immediate neighbour, said in his objection: "The Bride Valley is one of Dorset's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. "In the evenings and at night it used to be so quiet you could hear an owl hoot on the far hillside. "When the music (live or recorded) is being played at Bredy Farm what we now hear is the monotonous beat of the bass drifting across the intervening field."He added: "It is far from being deafening; but it is noticeable, persistent and intrusive." Jennifer Harris, for the business, said she believed the barn "had successfully addressed our historical noise concerns".She said all speakers were "angled away from the closest residential properties"."We are committed to operating this venue in a way that is respectful to our neighbours, while still providing a vibrant and enjoyable experience for our customers," she business aimed to provide employment opportunities and "contribute positively to the preservation and enhancement of local identity and character," she said. The planning decision comes after a licensing application for a drinks licence until 04:00 was rejected after concerns from a separate application the business has been allowed to retain a small swimming pool, which it built without consent near the barn and first put to use last June. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Globe and Mail
04-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
15 Years of Inventing Quiet: How Framery Created the Office Pod
TAMPERE, Finland, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Framery, the global leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing soundproof office pods, is proud to announce its 15th anniversary, a milestone that also marks 15 years since the company invented the office pod, fundamentally changing how millions work. Founded in 2010, Framery was born out of the shared frustrations of working in a distracting open-plan office environment. Samu Hällfors, CEO and co-founder, then in his early twenties and working in an open-plan office, experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining focus amidst constant noise. "The constant noise, particularly from our boss's phone calls, was incredibly frustrating," recalls Hällfors. "My friend and I suggested he take his calls elsewhere, and he responded, 'Well, buy me a phone booth.' The request ignited an idea. Since no such options existed, Framery's founders recognized a big opportunity. In their garage, they built the first office pod prototype, affectionately named "Pömpeli" (a Finnish word for "box"). This became the world's first commercial office pod, launched in 2010. It not only met a key need for quiet, but also created a whole new product category and the company Framery. This led to more models and continuous innovation. In 2013, Framery launched the Framery O, the first pod to achieve a 30dB speech reduction, and it remains one of the world's best-selling pods to this day. Since those humble beginnings, Framery has grown exponentially, becoming synonymous with high quality and effective soundproof spaces. What started as a solution for a few colleagues is now a necessity for millions of knowledge workers in over 100 countries, utilized by most of the world's leading companies, including industry giants like Nvidia, Puma, BCG and Microsoft. Today, approximately 70% of all Forbes Top 100 companies rely on Framery's products to create more functional and productive workspaces. Last year marked the most significant milestone for the office pod industry since Framery invented the product category with the launch of the first smart pod. Building upon Framery's renowned acoustic privacy, these next-generation pods incorporate smart office solutions that address the most pressing challenges of today's hybrid work environments. "This seamless fusion of smart features with our physical pod design became a true catalyst for the industry," says Samu Hällfors. "Just as smart features have become standard in many other product categories, we saw this as an expected and necessary evolution for office pods to truly support the modern workplace." Celebrating 15 years since creating the office pod industry, Framery views this milestone as a launchpad for future innovation and leadership. What began in a garage has become integral to modern workspace design, and Framery continues to drive the evolution of how we work. ABOUT FRAMERY Framery is the global leader in soundproof pods and smart office solutions, enabling people to focus on what truly matters and get things done. Framery is a necessity for a successful workday for millions of knowledge workers in over 100 countries and within most of the world's leading companies including Nvidia, Puma, and Microsoft. In fact, around 70% of all Forbes Top 100 companies use our products.
