Onshore wind noise assessment under the final 2026 guidance

ACP insights & guidance

The final UK guidance on assessing onshore wind turbine noise was published on 19 June 2026. It replaces ETSU-R-97 as the government’s technical guidance for applications within its scope. This is a practical point to check when commissioning an assessment or updating a report prepared before June.

By ACP Consultants · Sources checked 10 November 2026

Use the final report for the design brief

The government retained separate daytime and night-time limits in the final approach. The relationship between background noise and wind speed remains relevant. The appropriate lower limiting value and any receptor-specific considerations need to be justified using the final report and the scheme facts. A value quoted from a consultation draft or a neighbouring decision gives an incomplete basis for design.

The guidance concerns turbine operational noise. Agree separate methods for associated substations, battery equipment, construction activities and other sources where relevant.

Five inputs that affect the scope

• Consenting route. Record the location and application route. Turbines covered by permitted development rights follow separate requirements that vary across the UK.
• Receptors. Build a schedule of dwellings and other relevant locations. Check whether special treatment applies to a financially involved receptor and record why.
• Background data. Agree measurement locations, data provenance and how background sound relates to wind speed. Capture unusual site conditions and exclusions in the survey record.
• Other turbines. Document operational, consented and relevant proposed schemes for the cumulative review. Apply the final guidance’s criteria rather than assuming every nearby turbine is included.
• Turbine selection. Obtain sound data for the proposed equipment and operating modes. If selection is provisional, agree how the assessed envelope will be protected and checked later.

Plan for compliance while design changes are still possible

The government response retains a compliance-based approach to amplitude modulation using the Institute of Acoustics methodology. Confirm the character corrections and monitoring approach with the acoustic team, including how any proposed condition could be verified after commissioning.

For an illustrative project, a nearby wind farm and a change to the proposed turbine layout can both alter the cumulative evidence. Ask the acoustician to identify which receptors and operating assumptions drive the result. Retain the earlier layout, explain the revised scenario and keep an agreed version of the model inputs for the planning submission.

When an existing consent refers to ETSU-R-97

Read the wording of the consent and conditions before changing the assessment basis. New guidance does not by itself rewrite an existing condition. Discuss any proposed modification, repowering or new application with the relevant authority and acoustician.

Common question

References and scope

• DESNZ, Assessment and rating of noise from wind turbines, 19 June 2026
• DESNZ, consultation response, 19 June 2026

Discuss the project brief

Share the proposed turbine layout, operating data and nearby scheme list for noise assessment scoping.

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