Planning for heat pump refused

Powys County Council has refused the application for the installation of an air source heat pump at a property in New Road.

Despite support from the Town Council, the application faced objections based on noise concerns and potential adverse impacts on local residents.

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The proposed installation included a free-standing Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump along with associated internal works at Minawel, New Road, Newtown, SY16 1AS.

The application, however, was met with objections, most notably from Dan Stykuc, the Environmental Health Officer. Mr Stykuc raised critical issues regarding the noise levels generated by the proposed heat pump.

"I have some queries about the submitted noise calculation sheet," Mr Stykuc stated in his objection. "These have arisen because no notes have been provided to justify the figures used in the calculation. It appears to me that the closest window to a neighbouring habitable room will be less than one metre from the proposed location of the heat pump, with no acoustic barrier in between."

Stykuc further noted that after adjusting the calculation sheet to correct these errors, the noise level was calculated to be 53dB. This level is significantly above the allowable upper limit of 42dB as per the MCS020 standard. "This is an unacceptable adverse impact on amenity. For this reason, I have to object to the application," Mr Stykuc concluded.

One public objection was also recorded.

Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council had expressed their support for the application at their meeting in July.