Noise Management Plan

1.Introduction

2. Timings in relation to Noise 

3. Noise / Sound During The Event - Friday 25^th July

3 3. Noise/ Sound during the event – Saturday 26^th July

3.1 The Public 

3.2 Staff/Contractors 

3.3 Performances 

4. Managing Noise Whilst the event takes place on land that is not under the ownership of The Melton Mowbray Town Estate

4.1 Amplified Sound Sources 

4.2 Noise Measurement During The Event

4.3 Managing Complaints Prior to the event commencing

4.4 Managing Complaints During The Event

1. Introduction 

This document aims to establish, explain, and indicate how noise/sound will be managed at The Melton Ska Festival 2025. Through reviewing the layout of the event site this document will state the timings and mitigations put in place to allow both those attending the event and not attending the event to have a satisfactory experience in regard to noise levels. 

2. Timings in relation to Noise 

Friday 25^th July

from 08.00am – Stage Arrives and is placed in position (low level car noise) 08.00am– (Low level car noise from single vehicle) 

08:15am- Stage construction begins. (Low level metallic sounds, stage is designed to fold out requiring minimal crew and construction requirements) 

8.30am – Marquee supplier vehicles arrive for set up

10:00am – Toilets arrive 

10:00 – 2.00pm General site setup begins (Gazebo set up / signage) 

11.00am – Sound check (playback only to establish systems are working and gauge correct levelling. Expected to take 10mins.) Sound check backline setup (Single instruments played to establish line signal is being received)

5.00pm – Set up Ends

Saturday 26^th July 2025

8:00am – Stage and production set up continues 

11.00am – DJ set up and sound check followed by sound check of first act

11.00am Vehicle Curfew in place, all non-essential vehicles removed from the site) 

1:00pm – Event Opens to the public Amplified sound for event begins. 

11.00pm – Event Closes to the public – Amplified sound for event ends. 23:00

12.00am – Removal of site infrastructure. 

3. Noise/ Sound during the event

3.1 The Public 

As to be expected with an outdoor music festival the members of the public attending the event will create a level of consistent chatter through conversation. During live performances applause and shouting is to be expected. Between performance levels we anticipate the public will use this time to disperse from the “arena” area in front of the state to use the on-site facilities and/or visit the on-site bar. Our security team are present on and around the event perimeter to discourage rowdy behaviour and encourage persons congregating outside of the event perimeter to move away from the event, if it is clear, they have congregated due to the event taking place. 

3.2 Staff/Contractors 

Due to the size of the event, there will be 80 staff /contractors on site. Each group of persons will be working within groups closely and therefor will be able to communicate at talking volume level during the build and de-rig. During the show staff and contractors will be equipped with radios with earpieces reducing spill from radio calls. 

3.3 Performances 

All noise/sound levels during the event from performances will be directly controlled by the front of house sound engineer. The front of house sound engineer has been briefed on the requirements stated in this document and is responsible for controlling the sound levels from our amplified sound source during the event. The Event Manager will periodically spot check the front of house sound engineer is remaining compliant. 

4. Managing Noise Whilst the event takes place on land that is not under the ownership of The Melton Mowbray Town Estate.

The event will still abide to reasonable agreed sound level limits. This section will detail how sound levels will be monitored during the event. The event manager can make a dynamic assessment to turn volume levels down at any time if it is felt levels are excessive – even if still operating within the set dB levels agreed. 

4.1 Amplified Sound Sources The Main Stage - The main stage is the only location on the site that will use an amplified sound source. The P.A system is a line – array system consisting of X6 flown line array modules per side and X4 twin 18” subs at floor level beneath the stage. Sound levels will not exceed 110db from the front of house mixing position situated 25m from the sound source and centred to the PA system. PA speakers will be placed at low level hanging off the existing stage structure only and will be angled appropriately to project sound down at attendees only within the limitations of the PA system. The aim of this is to reduce sound bleed into surround areas as much as possible. 

4.2 Noise Measurements During the event a sound level data logger and decibel meter device will be installed at the main stage front of house mixing position. This monitor sound levels and log data in real time as a record of sound levels throughout the event. This device has a 0.1 decibel resolution and accurate to within 1.5dB. It operates on a A/C frequency rating and will be set to log data every 60 seconds. The full log of this monitoring will be made available upon request post event. In addition to this a mobile monitoring device will be used to measure dB levels around the event perimeter every hour to ensure excessive levels are not reached around the immediate vicinity of the venue. Sound levels at the front of house mixing position will not exceed 110db at any time during the event. 

4.3 Managing Public Complaints 

Prior to the event commencing, residents within a 300m radius will have received a letter stating basic information about the event. This letter also contains a number to call for any enquiries prior to the event and an event control phone number to call during the event that will give residents a direct line to the event management team. During the event if noise complaints are received, we shall make a log of the complaint and discuss the issue with the complainant to diffuse any complaints that may be raised to the local authority. As part of the logging process, we shall ask the complainant for their address or approximate location and dispatch a member of the event management team to this location to take a Db level reading to check if excessive volumes are present at this location. Should an issue be identified with a particular location and/or a particular surrounding area the event manager will look to adjust the main stage volume levels accordingly and a log will be made of this action taking place and a further meter reading will be taken at the location. 

Complaints from the general public during the event can be made by calling – 07951 326 269

5. Noise and Safety 

The event will be compliant with the Health and Safety Executives “The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005”. The programming of the event allows for periods of time between acts when attendees will not be exposed to hazardous levels of sound. Playback will be used between acts and the volume level of playback will not exceed 85bD. Should any form of incident occur that requires the site to be evacuated live performance and playback will cease immediately and the P.A system will only be used for distributing key information as required and if safe to do so.