03/09/2026
Lagan Meadows Designated Quiet Area After Public Consultation
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has formally named Lagan Meadows as a Quiet Area following an eight-week public consultation that showed strong support for the move.
The site becomes the latest addition to Northern Ireland's Quiet Areas, joining those designated in 2016 at Connor Park/Stricklands Glen (Bangor West), Bashfordlands (Carrickfergus) and Carnmoney Hill – Upper (Newtownabbey).
The designation acknowledges the need for respite from noise in urban environments, given the health impacts associated with unwanted sound. Noise levels at Lagan Meadows are currently considered good, and the new status aims to maintain that standard and prevent any increase.
Speaking about the designation, Minister Muir commented: "Excessive noise can cause annoyance; with research showing a range of impacts including issues such as sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, tinnitus and cognitive impairment plus increased risk of high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease.
"These findings highlight the real need for places such as Quiet Areas, tranquil spaces nestled within an urban landscape, to provide an essential means of escape from the pressures of our noisy everyday lives."
District Councils will play the lead role in safeguarding the area's tranquillity, using their local development plans and the planning process to assess and manage any proposals that could increase noise.
The identification of Quiet Areas in agglomerations is provided for under Regulation 40 of the Environmental Noise Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, with the objective of preserving and protecting environmental noise quality where it is already good.
A map of the Lagan Meadows Quiet Area, details of earlier designations, and a summary of responses to the consultation launched on 1 June 2026 are available on the DAERA website.
The site becomes the latest addition to Northern Ireland's Quiet Areas, joining those designated in 2016 at Connor Park/Stricklands Glen (Bangor West), Bashfordlands (Carrickfergus) and Carnmoney Hill – Upper (Newtownabbey).
The designation acknowledges the need for respite from noise in urban environments, given the health impacts associated with unwanted sound. Noise levels at Lagan Meadows are currently considered good, and the new status aims to maintain that standard and prevent any increase.
"These findings highlight the real need for places such as Quiet Areas, tranquil spaces nestled within an urban landscape, to provide an essential means of escape from the pressures of our noisy everyday lives."
District Councils will play the lead role in safeguarding the area's tranquillity, using their local development plans and the planning process to assess and manage any proposals that could increase noise.
The identification of Quiet Areas in agglomerations is provided for under Regulation 40 of the Environmental Noise Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, with the objective of preserving and protecting environmental noise quality where it is already good.
A map of the Lagan Meadows Quiet Area, details of earlier designations, and a summary of responses to the consultation launched on 1 June 2026 are available on the DAERA website.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mainly dry with clear spells most widespread in the east, but a few scattered light showers appearing west and north of Lough Neagh. Southwest winds freshening overnight. Minimum temperature 11 °C.