An internal report into the two-year saga involving noisy heat pumps at a Norfolk high school has concluded they are "not considered a statutory nuisance".
A Broadland Council memorandum regarding the devices at Reepham High School said that despite the noise having an impact on nearby neighbours, it does "not have sustainable grounds to object" to the operation of the pumps.
Alex Grimmer wrote in the memorandum: "We consider that the noise levels generated have, and will continue to have, an impact on the adjacent residential properties, which could have been minimised or negated if planning permission had been sought prior to the installation.
"However, this impact is not considered to be statutory nuisance, and in planning terms would not pose an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the residents."
The council's memorandum had considered two environmental reports as well as officer observations and the impact on neighbours.
READ MORE: Heat pumps at Reepham are still being run
One report conducted by Independent Environmental Consultancy Limited said the "sound emissions are exceeding the noise target level even under the most favourable conditions".
Another report, filed by Adrian James Acoustics, said that the "compressors running fell by approximately six decibels during the course of the day.
However, it also found that noise heard at a nearby property was approximately 36 decibels when the heat pumps ran normally, but dropped to 30 decibels later in the day.
According to British standards, "design targets should not exceed a rating level of 35 decibels," which was mentioned in one report.
The devices, which were installed in 2022, have been a topic of public contention after complaints were made from nearby neighbours who claimed they were unable to go outside, or use their garden without being disturbed.
Mark Bridges, a nearby neighbour, said in response to the reports: "The application must abide by the regulations, which the report states the installation clearly doesn’t."
READ MORE: Reepham High School ordered to turn off the heat pumps
Reepham High School has been approached for comment.
Heat pump reports
A report conducted by Independent Environmental Consultancy Limited found that the air source heat pumps installed by Reepham High School "to be in excess of the design target and likely to result in a significant adverse impact".
The findings, which were prompted by Chris Johnson, a neighbour, emphasized that the devices should not exceed the level of 35 decibels, which corresponds to British standards.
It stated that "the plant sound emissions are exceeding the noise target level even under the most favourable conditions and before any penalty for tonality or other distinguishable characteristics can be applied".
The report recommended that the installation sound rating level should not exceed 35 decibels at any noise sensitive facades of neighbouring residential premises.
It involved a week-long monitoring of the air source heat pumps, which were initially installed with eco-friendly intentions and as an alternative to the use of fossil fuels.
An area of uncertainty concerned the "defrost cycle", which was considered an audibly louder operation than the heat pump's "normal operation".
More tests may need to be conducted during the next cold period when the defrost cycle is expected to be activated.
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