Environmental · Mandatory · Pre-Construction

Noise and Vibration Management Plan

A plan for managing noise and vibration from construction works in accordance with BS 5228.

Last reviewed: 29 March 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. BS 5228 / S61 Consent remains current with no amendments enacted as of 29 March 2026. Next scheduled review: 29 March 2027.

Legal basis	BS 5228:2009+A1:2014 Code of Practice for Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites + Control of Pollution Act 1974
Status	Mandatory — typically required by planning condition
Prepared by	Principal Contractor
BS 5228 Part 1 (Noise)	+5 dB(A) above background or 70 dB(A) L_eq criteria — whichever is the lower threshold at the nearest sensitive receptor
BS 5228 Part 2 (Vibration)	Peak particle velocity (PPV) measured in mm/s — thresholds depend on building type and receptor sensitivity

1. Noise & Vibration Management — Proactive Planning Before Complaints Arise

Construction noise and vibration are among the most common causes of complaint from neighbours of construction sites. Poorly managed noise can lead to justified complaints, enforcement action by the local authority, Section 60 notices under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 imposing restrictive conditions on working hours and methods, and ultimately injunctions that halt construction work entirely. A proactive noise and vibration management plan, prepared before construction starts and based on the principles of BS 5228:2009+A1:2014, is the most effective way to manage these risks.

BS 5228 provides the framework for predicting, assessing, and controlling noise and vibration from construction and open sites. Part 1 deals with noise and sets out the methodology for predicting construction noise levels at sensitive receptors, along with assessment criteria. The standard provides two assessment methods: the ABC method, which applies a threshold of +5 dB(A) above the pre-existing ambient noise level, and fixed thresholds of 65, 70, or 75 dB(A) depending on the time period. Part 2 deals with vibration and provides guidance on peak particle velocity (PPV) thresholds for cosmetic damage, minor damage, and human perception.

The management plan must adopt a Best Practicable Means (BPM) approach, which is the defence available under Section 72 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. BPM requires the contractor to use the best available techniques and methods to minimise noise and vibration, having regard to local conditions, the current state of technical knowledge, financial implications, and the need to protect persons in the vicinity from the effects of noise and vibration. Demonstrating BPM requires a documented, site-specific plan that is actively implemented and monitored.

Baseline noise survey

Conduct a baseline noise survey before construction starts — it establishes the pre-construction noise environment for comparison during works. Without a baseline survey, it is impossible to determine whether construction noise levels represent a significant increase above the pre-existing ambient level, which is one of the primary assessment criteria under BS 5228. The survey should measure background noise levels (LA90) and ambient noise levels (LAeq) at the nearest sensitive receptors over a representative period.

2. Key Components

The following table sets out the key components that a noise and vibration management plan must address. Each element contributes to demonstrating that Best Practicable Means are being employed to minimise noise and vibration impacts on neighbours and sensitive receptors.

Component	What it covers
Site description	Site location, boundaries, proposed construction works, programme, and working hours. The description must identify the relationship between the site and surrounding noise-sensitive receptors including residential properties, schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
Sensitive receptors	Identification and location of all noise and vibration sensitive receptors around the site. Each receptor must be mapped, with distances from the nearest site boundary and from the locations of the noisiest construction activities. The sensitivity of each receptor must be classified (e.g. residential, educational, healthcare).
Baseline noise survey	Results of the pre-construction baseline noise survey, including background noise levels (L_A90) and ambient noise levels (L_Aeq) at the nearest sensitive receptors. Measurements should be taken at representative locations and time periods to establish the existing noise climate against which construction noise will be assessed.
Construction activities	Description of all construction activities that will generate significant noise or vibration, including demolition, piling, excavation, concreting, steel erection, and mechanical plant operation. Each activity must be described in terms of the plant and equipment to be used, the duration of the activity, and the working hours during which it will take place.
Noise prediction	Prediction of noise levels at each sensitive receptor from each construction activity, using the methodology set out in BS 5228 Part 1. Predictions must be based on the sound power levels of the specific plant and equipment to be used (from the BS 5228 database or manufacturer data), the distance to each receptor, and any screening or attenuation factors.
Vibration prediction	Prediction of vibration levels at each sensitive receptor from vibration-generating activities such as piling, compaction, and demolition, using the methodology set out in BS 5228 Part 2. Predictions must be expressed as peak particle velocity (PPV) in mm/s and compared against the thresholds for cosmetic damage, minor damage, and human perception.
Mitigation measures	Specific measures to reduce noise and vibration at source, along the transmission path, and at the receptor. Source controls include selection of quieter plant, use of silencers and acoustic enclosures, and programming noisy activities to avoid sensitive periods. Path controls include acoustic barriers and hoarding. Receptor controls include notification, liaison, and temporary rehousing where necessary.
Monitoring regime	Details of the noise and vibration monitoring programme, including monitoring locations, equipment, frequency, trigger levels, and action levels. Monitoring must be carried out by a competent person using calibrated equipment. Results must be recorded and reviewed regularly, and corrective action taken if trigger levels are exceeded.
Complaints procedure	A documented procedure for receiving, recording, investigating, and responding to noise and vibration complaints from neighbours and the public. The procedure must include a dedicated contact number, a commitment to acknowledge complaints promptly, and a process for investigating the cause and implementing additional mitigation where necessary.

3. Common Mistakes

Generic plan not based on BS 5228

A noise and vibration management plan that contains only generic statements about minimising noise and does not include site-specific noise predictions based on BS 5228 methodology is not fit for purpose. The local authority Environmental Health team will expect to see quantified noise predictions for each construction activity at each sensitive receptor, compared against the BS 5228 assessment criteria. A generic plan does not demonstrate Best Practicable Means and will not provide a defence against a Section 60 notice or a statutory nuisance complaint.

No baseline noise survey

Without a baseline noise survey conducted before construction starts, it is impossible to assess the impact of construction noise using the BS 5228 ABC method, which requires comparison against the pre-existing ambient noise level. If a complaint is made and the local authority investigates, the absence of baseline data weakens the contractor's position significantly. The baseline survey is a relatively simple and low-cost exercise that provides an essential reference point for the entire duration of the construction programme.

Not communicating the plan to subcontractors

A noise and vibration management plan is only effective if it is communicated to and understood by every subcontractor working on site. Subcontractors carrying out noisy activities such as piling, demolition, and concrete breaking must understand the working hours restrictions, the noise and vibration limits that apply, the mitigation measures they are required to implement, and the monitoring and complaints procedures. Failure to brief subcontractors on the plan means that noise and vibration controls will not be consistently applied, increasing the risk of complaints and enforcement action.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Section 60 and Section 61 under the Control of Pollution Act 1974?▾

Section 60 and Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 are both concerned with controlling noise from construction sites, but they operate in fundamentally different ways. A Section 60 notice is a reactive enforcement tool: the local authority serves it on the contractor (or site owner or occupier) when construction noise is causing, or is likely to cause, a nuisance. The notice can impose conditions on working hours, plant and equipment, noise levels, and methods of working, and non-compliance is a criminal offence. A Section 61 consent is a proactive application made by the contractor before construction work begins, seeking advance agreement from the local authority on the methods to be used and the steps to be taken to minimise noise. If a Section 61 consent is granted and the contractor complies with its terms, the contractor has a complete statutory defence against any subsequent Section 60 notice. Section 61 consent provides certainty and protection for the contractor, while Section 60 notices are an enforcement risk that can impose additional restrictions and costs during construction.

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