From time to time, members of the public express concern that vibration resulting from activity at MOD Shoeburyness is causing damage to their property.
To address this concern, the MOD has commissioned a number of specialist, independent studies to assess vibration effects and their potential to damage buildings. The most recent of these, conducted by Southdowns Environmental Consultants Limited, during the period June to December 2015, concluded that:
There was no evidence that ground-borne vibration from Range activity was detected at any of the off-site monitoring locations.
It was also concluded that the potential for damage to buildings as a direct result of Range activity, was improbable, based on worst case scenarios, including, for example; the possible effects of the highest permitted level of Range generated noise on older buildings containing large commercial plate glass windows.
The study acknowledged that secondary airborne vibration may be perceptible in certain conditions but stated that this will not cause structural damage.
During the study, specialist monitoring equipment was installed at residential properties around the Thames Estuary whose occupiers had reported concerns. The findings of the latest study were also consistent with those of previous studies conducted by Vibrock Limited.
All of the report documents from the Southdowns Environmental Consultants study are available on GOV.UK and also here. The nature of work conducted on the Range or the framework under which we are permitted to conduct this work has not changed and therefore the findings are still relevant.