Agglomerations noise action plan: consultation analysis 2025

Part two: Summary of Consultation Responses on the long-term environmental noise considerations.

Question 3: Is there anything you consider should be discussed at the Scottish Environmental Noise Coordination Group during the next 5-year cycle for Round 5?

Question 4: Do you have any views on the long-term opportunities to better address Scotland’s needs for managing environmental noise?

Respondents identified five key themes relating to long-term opportunities for better managing environmental noise in Scotland. These themes were: noise sources and mitigation, policy development, support for local authorities, governance and guidance, and noise mapping model parameters.

Eight responses focused on noise sources and mitigation. Three respondents highlighted the need to consider the noise impacts of renewable and alternative technologies, while two raised issues relating to airports and the implications of Scottish airspace modernisation. Other responses referred to road and rail noise, and the importance of identifying appropriate mitigation measures.

Seven responses concerned the wider policy landscape for managing environmental noise. Suggestions included championing noise, using technology to reduce road noise, improving community engagement across sectors, and introducing legislation to cap the maximum noise levels generated by motorbikes.

One respondent referenced the Welsh Government’s “soundscape” approach as a progressive policy model that moves beyond traditional notions of “quiet” towards “appropriate soundscapes.” They suggested this approach could support placemaking, climate resilience, and capacity building for local authorities.

Four responses called for greater support for local authorities. Suggestions included bringing the operation “in‑house” to the Scottish Government, increasing resources for authorities with candidate areas within their agglomerations, and investing in guidance, training, and shared assessment tools.

A respondent also highlighted opportunities for national funding to support mitigation works linked to candidate Noise Management Areas and candidate Quiet Areas, or to align with projects planned by Transport Scotland.

Four respondents commented on governance and guidance. Two emphasised the need to regularly review and update Planning Guidance and the Technical Advice Note (TAN 1/2011) to ensure they remain relevant. Another respondent called for continual review of progress on noise reduction measures, while a further submission proposed annual reporting on progress against the noise actions.

Two responses related to noise modelling parameters. One proposed including an example of measured noise data in the next Agglomerations Noise Action Plan to demonstrate the relationship between modelled and real world monitored noise levels. Another respondent highlighted likely disproportionate noise impacts on lower income communities and advocated for additional metrics to supplement existing standards.

Government response: Long term environmental noise considerations

We welcome respondents’ suggestions on the long-term management of environmental noise. As this plan focuses on Scotland’s five agglomerations as defined in the 2006 Regulations, we will share comments relevant to the Transport Noise Action Plan with the appropriate leads.

Through the Scottish Environmental Noise Coordination Group, we will bring together agglomeration leads to share expertise and strengthen awareness of environmental noise issues. We will also engage with policy leads to consider matters that fall outside the scope of this plan.

We note the Welsh Government’s “soundscape” approach and will consider this concept as we continue to develop environmental noise policy.

Continued engagement with the Scottish Government, local authorities and Transport and Airport Noise Action Plan leads will support shared guidance, training, and assessment tools, and strengthen communication across Scotland’s Noise Action Plans. We will look at how we came support local authorities with guidance, training or assessment tools and where cases studies on noise mitigation, including where this has been driven from other policy and noise reduction is a co-benefit, can be shared.

We will continue to review our overall policy approach to environmental noise, ensuring alignment with relevant technical guidance. We recognise the importance of keeping technical documents — such as the Technical Advice Note 1/2011 — up to date and reviewed at appropriate intervals.

The 2006 Regulations set the technical requirements for producing environmental noise maps. We welcome the suggestion to explore additional parameters and will discuss these further with the Scottish Environmental Noise Coordination Group.