Quiet period
Construction sites can be disruptive to the local community for long periods of time.
Generally, the hours during which construction sites are allowed to operate is determined by the local authority, in accordance with the Control of Pollution Act, and conditions can be applied to planning permissions in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act.
Requirements may be set out in a code of construction practice (CoCP), attached to the planning permission for a development. This may define the permitted hours of working, and may also prescribe quiet periods, during which certain activities may not be allowed, such as:
- Use of cutting power tools.
- Breaking or dismantling using power tools, machines or plant.
- Use of impact fasteners.
- Loading heavy materials.
- Other noisy activities considered unacceptable by Environmental Health Officers.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BREEAM Considerate Construction.
- Clerk of works.
- Code of construction practice.
- Complaining about construction sites.
- Considerate Contractors.
- Construction dust.
- Damage caused by construction works.
- Nuisance.
- Planning obligation.
- Planning permission.
- Pollution.
- Quiet area.
- Site rules.
- What hours are construction sites allowed to operate?
- Working day.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.























