Angry neighbors complained about excessive noise from a nearby sex toy factory. Lovehoney had to apply for retrospective planning permission for four heat pumps installed at its headquarters warehouse in Bath.
Lovehoney has responded to anger from local residents by switching on pumps at 4am every day, but planning documents show pump noise has been measured to be 16 decibels louder than ambient noise.
The company, which specializes in sex toys, lingerie, bondage kits and condoms, was founded in Bath in 2002 and moved into a warehouse the following year.
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A noise impact assessment carried out by acoustical consultant Chris Parker-Jones recommended housing the problematic units in acoustic enclosures. He said in his report: “It is understood that some of the surrounding residential areas complained to Bath City and North East Somerset City Council about noise levels and subsequently requested the creation of this NIA.” added.
He said simply moving them, replacing them with quieter alternatives or putting up fences or fences around them won't achieve the level of reductions needed.
He added: “The applicant should therefore consider re-housing the affected unit within a soundproof enclosure and provide the enclosure with updated plans and datasheets verifying that noise emissions can be minimized. It will need to be submitted by the manufacturer to the local planning authority,” he added. It is 16dB. ”
Gary Box, from Lovehoney, said the application was to install a heating and cooling system to replace a temporary gas boiler and electric chiller. He writes: “These units are government-approved stand-alone air source heat pumps, which were installed to reduce both energy consumption and carbon emissions.”
“This was also done to make Lovehoney a more sustainable company. This has reduced our gas consumption so that we no longer use fossil fuels.”
A decision on the application will be made by Bath City and North East Somerset City Council at a later date.
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