Quiet area
A quiet area is an external space identified as such by local authorities under the Environmental Noise Regulations.
The regulations came out of European Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, more commonly known as the Environmental Noise Directive (END).
The END recognises the need to prevent or reduce environmental noise levels that may negatively affect human health, and highlights the need to preserve environmental noise quality where it is good, as well as to preserve quiet areas.
Article 8 states that action plans for agglomerations with more than 250,000 inhabitants should ‘aim to protect quiet areas against an increase in noise'. Annex V sets out a requirement to report on actions or measures that authorities intend to take to preserve quiet areas. This may include; land use planning, systems engineering for traffic, traffic planning, and control of noise sources.
The END does not specify any requirements regarding the protection of quiet areas in open country.
Ref https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/good-practice-guide-on-quiet-areas/download
Glasgow City Development Plan, Published by Glasgow City Council in 2016, defines quiet areas as: ‘Areas of the City identified under the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, where environmental noise quality is good and should be protected against an increase in noise. In Glasgow, Quiet Areas are exclusively parks.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.