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.
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