D01.03 Dialogue with Political and Public Representatives on Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval
Dialogue Reference: D01.03 — Political and Public Representatives
Dialogue Purpose
This dialogue documents MDCO’s formal engagement with the dialogue partner to seek clarification and views regarding current planning and design considerations for low frequency noise (LFN) associated with data centre developments.
MDCO’s Current Understanding:
- Sections 22(2), 22(3) and 22(5) of Act 172 appear to provide Local Planning Authorities with broad discretion to consider matters necessary for proper planning and impose appropriate planning conditions, including where relevant environmental acoustic considerations such as LFN may arise.
- Publicly available legislation and guidance reviewed by MDCO did not identify any specific published requirement addressing LFN assessment for data centre developments during the planning approval process.
- Conventional environmental noise assessment generally relies on overall A-weighted sound levels (dBA), while international acoustic practices indicate that frequency-based analysis may provide additional information where significant low-frequency sources exist.
- Act 172 appears to provide Local Planning Authorities with flexibility to incorporate appropriate planning conditions where necessary to manage potential environmental impacts associated with approved developments.
- The rapid growth of data centre developments and advances in acoustic research may require continued consideration of how planning practices and technical guidance address potential LFN-related issues.
Additional Findings from Dialogue Responses
No additional information has been obtained from the dialogue partners as of the publication date.
This section will be updated progressively as dialogue responses are received and published.
Dialogue Records
The following dialogue records form part of this ongoing engagement:
(Additional dialogue records will be added progressively as they are published.)
MDCO’s Consolidated Understanding
As of the publication date, MDCO’s review indicates that Sections 22(2), 22(3) and 22(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) appear to provide Local Planning Authorities with broad discretion to consider matters necessary for proper planning and to impose appropriate planning conditions, including where relevant environmental acoustic considerations such as low frequency noise (LFN) may arise. However, MDCO has not identified any publicly available planning legislation or guidance that specifically addresses LFN assessment for data centre developments during the planning approval process.
MDCO’s review further indicates that conventional environmental noise assessment generally relies on overall A-weighted sound levels (dBA), whereas international acoustic practice suggests that additional frequency-based assessment methods may be appropriate where significant low-frequency noise sources are expected. As Malaysia’s data centre industry continues to expand alongside advances in acoustic research, the dialogue process seeks to better understand current planning practices, technical considerations and whether additional clarification or guidance may support future planning practice.
Citation
Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO). D01.03 Dialogue with Political and Public Representatives on Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval. MDCO Dialogue Series.
MDCO Note
This article forms part of the Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) Dialogue Series, which documents MDCO’s engagement with stakeholders to improve public understanding of data centre development through transparent, evidence-based and balanced dialogue.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the summaries and observations presented reflect MDCO’s current understanding based on publicly available information and should not be interpreted as representing the views or positions of the organisations concerned. Responses received from dialogue partners are reproduced or summarised separately.
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, engineering, acoustic, environmental, medical or professional advice. MDCO does not advocate for or against any particular stakeholder, project, technology or regulatory position, but seeks to facilitate informed public discussion through transparent documentation and evidence-based analysis.