Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

As from tomorrow, bar and restaurant terraces in C/ Enric Granados, along with Pl. Sol and Pl. Revolució in Gràcia, will have to close an hour earlier to reduce noise and guarantee hours of rest for local residents. The measure is part of a noise pollution plan for streets and squares declared as areas prone to excessive noise at night.

The Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona (BOPB) now includes the final approval for the resolution reducing opening hours for terraces in these locations. As from tomorrow, terraces will have to close at 11 pm from Sundays to Thursdays and at midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays.

This decision was adopted after results from soundmeters installed in these locations showed that permitted noise levels at night are consistently exceeded by 3 decibels. The results obtained, set out in the report by the Department for Environmental Assessment and Management at the Manager’s Office for Urban Ecology, conclude that the main cause of noise is activity at bar and restaurant terraces, linked to nightlife.

C/ Enric Granados declared as a saturated area for terraces

Enric Granados has been declared a street saturated with terraces, meaning none of the special terraces permitted during the pandemic will be able to be consolidated. Of the 35 special permits given, 31 applied for regularisation and the consolidation of additional chairs and tables authorised during the pandemic. All of these applications have been turned down.

To cut noise and inconvenience for local residents, the City Council is also considering making it obligatory for the legs of tables and chairs to have silicon caps and for chains to secure furniture to be plastified.