The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., has announced today (7 August, 2013) he has approved the designation of 8 ‘Quiet Areas’ in Dublin City for protection against increased levels of environmental noise. The designation was made on foot of a proposal made to the Minister by Dublin City Council under the Environmental Noise Regulations (S.I. No. 140 of 2006) and following consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Environmental Noise Regulations aim to mitigate unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity. A two-stage approach to the assessment and management of environmental noise is provided for in the Regulations.
Firstly, noise mapping authorities must undertake noise mapping of infrastructure falling within defined criteria, e.g. large cities, major roads, railways and airports. Secondly, based on the results of the mapping process, noise action plans are prepared by local authorities for each area concerned. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise.
A new round of noise mapping was undertaken during 2012. Based on the findings of the noise mapping exercise, an updated draft noise action plan, to run up to 2018, was prepared by the four Dublin based local authorities. The draft action plan was recently made available for public consultation by Dublin City Council before being finalised. The Dublin Agglomeration Environmental Noise Action Plan and associated noise maps can be viewed on the Dublin City Council website at the following link:
www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/NoiseMapsandActionPlans/Pages/default.aspx
Noise action plans aim to preserve tranquil areas with existing low levels of environmental noise. Among the measures undertaken by Dublin City Council to implement this aim is the identification of 8 initial locations around the city for ‘Quiet Area’ designation under the Regulations. These are as follows:
1. Blessington Basin, Blessington Street, Dublin 1
2. Edenmore Park, Raheny, Dublin 5
3. Mount Bernard Park, Shandon Park, Phibsborough, Dublin 7
4. Dollymount SAA, Clontarf, Dublin 3 (terrestrial area only, excluding sloblands)
5. St. Anne’s Park Raheny, Dublin 5
6. Palmerston Park, Dartry, Dublin 6
7. Ranelagh Gardens, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
8. The Cabbage Gardens, Cathedral Lane, Dublin 2
Dublin City Council placed notices in national newspapers earlier this year of their intention to apply to the Minister for quiet area designation for these locations and a six week period was provided for receipt of comments. The Council then consulted with the EPA. The Agency agreed with the proposed Quiet Area designation and the measures proposed by Dublin City Council to preserve current environmental sound levels at these locations.
Minister Hogan has now approved the Quiet Area designation for these 8 locations, which will be administered by Dublin City Council. Noise limit values of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night will apply in respect of environmental noise pollution. Naturally occurring sounds should be the dominant sound source. The Quiet Area designation will also be a consideration in the context of proposed future development in the vicinity of these locations if it has the potential to negatively impact on noise levels.
Minister Hogan said: “Noise is an unwanted disturbance that negatively impacts on quality of life and may have a detrimental effect on peoples’ health and well-being. For this reason it is important that our green spaces and sea frontage are preserved and safeguarded from environmental noise. These areas are important public amenities where people go for relaxation and quiet reflection away from the noisy hustle and bustle of urban life. The Quiet Area designation will help to ensure that these spaces can continue to be enjoyed by present and future generations.”
Mr. Michael Philips, Director of Traffic in Dublin City Council, said: “We are pleased that these eight quiet areas have been approved by Minister Hogan. It is an acknowledgement that there is an extra value placed on these eight areas due to low sound levels and the absence of environmental noise. It is proposed to continue the process of identifying Quiet Areas under the revised Dublin Agglomeration Noise Action Plan 2013- 2018, as it is recognised that it is preferable to preserve acoustically good quality where it exists rather than taking difficult and expensive measure to reduce it where it is elevated”.