A CHARITY is set to install 17 heat pumps to replace an old gas boiler but will not be able to use them until it can prove they aren't too noisy.

Thurrock Council has given permission for the air source heat pumps to be installed on the outside of the Beehive Resource Centre in West Street, Grays. The three-storey building is near the Grade II-listed former White Hart pub, itself a building that is undergoing change as its owners convert it to a restaurant, and South Essex College's campus.

Thurrock CVS charity runs the centre, which provides office and community space to the community and voluntary sector.

The charity said the centre had received a national grant to improve the energy efficiency of the building. The proposal would replace the old boiler with 17 external air source heat pumps fitted to the side and rear of the building and an internal hot and cold air heating system, "to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of the building."

An historic building advisor was consulted to assess the impact of the heat pumps on the listed pub.

In a report, the advisor didn't raise any objections but said: "I consider it should be possible to carry out the proposed installation in a more sympathetic and less visually intrusive manner, for example mounting all condenser units at ground level and screening them with painted timber vented enclosures with connections run inside the building."

Once installed, the charity will have to carry out an acoustic assessment to ensure the heat pumps don't exceed permitted noise levels.

Air source heat pumps emit a low-level but potentially intrusive sound from fans.

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Currently, they should be no louder than 42 decibels within one metre of a neighbour's door or window.

Planning officers said: "The proposals have a number of potential benefits arising including energy efficiency of the building. The proposal would not adversely affect the functioning of the community building, nor would it have any adverse impact upon the wider area.

"An acoustic assessment covering all proposed noise-generating fixed plant shall be submitted to the local planning authority for approval prior to the first use of the units."