Digital boundaries of Agglomerations were created as part of the Round 4 strategic noise mapping analysis commissioned by Scottish Ministers to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018. Agglomerations support the development of noise action plans which aim to preserve noise quality where it is good, and protect quiet areas in agglomerations against an increase in noise.The Regulations set out that agglomerations:Must be an urbanised area; andHave a population in excess of 100,000 people, andA population density equal to or greater than 500 people per km2; andInclude public parks and other quiet areas which action plans aim to protect, as appropriate; andIncludes known or possible areas where environmental noise quality is good.The Settlements dataset provided by National Records of Scotland (NRS) forms a basis for the agglomeration definition, as it sets out built-up areas with a population density of greater than 500 inhabitants per km2. OS Open Greenspaces which either intersect or are adjacent to the Settlements area, are included, as they set out public parks and amenity spaces. Undeveloped open spaces within the draft area are considered for inclusion on the basis that they may provide quiet areas or areas where environmental noise quality is good. Additionally, adjacent built-up areas, or those within a short distance, are considered for inclusion on the basis that they may be considered part of the same continuous urban development, despite not currently being within the same Settlement area.
