Receptor
A ‘receptor’ is a component of the natural or built environment (such as a human being, water, air, a building or a plant) that is affected by an impact of construction works and/or the operation of a proposed development.
Air quality sensitive receptors are people, property, species or designated sites for nature conservation that may be at risk from exposure to air pollutants potentially arising as a result of a proposed development.
Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, Glossary of terms and list of abbreviations, DETR 2013.
NB Culvert, screen and outfall manual, (CIRIA C786) published by CIRIA in 2019, defines a receptor as: ‘The entity, such as a person, property or habitat, which may be harmed by an event via a source and pathway. The vulnerability of a receptor can be reduced by increasing resilience.’
Guidance on the code of practice for property flood resilience, published by CIRIA in 2021, defines a receptor as: ‘The entity that may be harmed by a particular hazard (eg a person, property, habitat). For example, in the event of heavy rainfall (source) floodwater may propagate across the flood plain (pathway) and inundate a buildings (receptor) that may suffer material damage (the harm or consequence).’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Stakeholder.
- Early BREEAM stakeholder engagement.
- Community engagement in conservation.
- Consultation process.
- Interface risk in construction.
- Non-statutory consultees.
- Stakeholder map.
- Stakeholder management.
- Statutory authorities.
- Third party dependencies.
- User panels.
- Environmental impact assessment EIA.
- Ecological Impact Assessment EcIA.
- Regulatory Impact Assessment.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The Building Safety Regulator announces a call for evidence.
Government approach could undermine delivery and regeneration.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.
















