Quiet Working Methods or Other Special Factors

Applications which contain sufficient details of any particularly quiet percussive piling methods or any special noise control measures which the CNP applicant proposes to employ, or any other special factors or exceptional circumstances which the applicant considers relevant, may be given special consideration by the Authority. In considering such special cases the Authority may make allowances, adjustments or corrections to any of the factors in Section 2 and appropriate calculation procedures may be adopted by the Authority having regard to standard acoustical principles and practices.

Any CNP issued under this provision may include conditions such as details of the special noise control measures to be employed, acoustic performance specifications for such measures or for particularly quiet percussive piling methods to be used, maximum noise levels at the NSR or at any other positions and any other conditions which may be considered to be appropriate by the Authority.

Percussive Piling Having Important Social Implications

Where in the opinion of the Authority a CNP application is for percussive piling in connection with a project which, by virtue of its magnitude or purpose, may have significant social implications or where restrictions on the permitted hours of operation may not be in the public interest or where the carrying out of percussive piling during the permitted hours of operation might arouse considerable public concern, the Authority shall refer the matter for advice to the Secretary. In giving such advice the Secretary shall give due considerations to these factors. In such cases the Authority shall abide by any advice received from the Secretary.

Designated Geologically Difficult Areas

The Authority shall consider a CNP application to use diesel hammers if that site is situated in Scheduled Areas no. 2 and 4 in the Fifth Schedule of the Buildings Ordinance (Chapter 123) which all these areas are geologically difficult areas and are designated as Geologically Difficult Areas. For any CNP issued under this provision, the appropriate permitted hours of operation shall be determined from Table 5A in accordance with Section 2.9.