Call us free on 0808 168 9540
Call us free on 0808 168 9540
Air quality assessments for planning are a key consideration in land use planning. There is well-established legislation, policy, and guidance at local, regional, and national levels on assessing air quality impacts.
The effects of exposure to poor air quality on human health and ecosystem function are well understood. Therefore, it is crucial for developers that the air quality impacts resulting from their developments, including construction dust management, are assessed appropriately and mitigated where required, following planning regulations and requirements.
Phlorum’s air quality consultants have extensive experience undertaking air quality assessments for planning and have supported numerous clients across southern England, including London, Sussex, Surrey and Kent. We work with major land developers, local builders and the planning consultants that support them in obtaining necessary planning consents.
The type of air quality assessment required to support a planning application depends on the scale of the development and the nature and level of emissions generated by a proposal, whether road traffic emissions from a large housing development or stack emissions from a small industrial process.
Our Air Quality Assessment for Planning consultants are highly experienced in determining the appropriate scope of assessment for a wide range of development types. We can produce simple screening assessments for smaller proposals or detailed air quality modelling studies for major developments.
Most planning applications require air quality assessments to consider the impacts of new development on outdoor air quality, for which legal air quality standards, protective of human and ecosystem health, are in place. However, exposure to indoor air pollution is becoming increasingly important, especially where property owners or facilities managers are responsible for maintaining the quality of air in multi-occupancy buildings.
We are highly experienced in assessing both outdoor and indoor air quality conditions through a range of techniques, including detailed pollution dispersion modelling and on-site air quality monitoring.
For most planning applications, road traffic emissions are the primary consideration in air quality impact assessments, with nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter often the key pollutants of concern.
However, other sources may be relevant depending on the project in question.
For example, diesel generators are important combustion emission sources for Data Centre developments and some industrial processes. Our Air Quality Assessors for Planning are highly skilled at assessing various sources and pollutants to support air quality assessment planning applications for different project types.
Our team is fully conversant with the key methodological approaches to various types of air quality assessment for planning and has access to all relevant technical tools and computer programmes.
This includes state-of-the-art air quality dispersion models and Government-developed assessment tools, such as emission factor toolkits and damage cost calculators.
Land use planning has an important influence on where new development takes place and therefore where people may be exposed to sources of air pollution. Air quality is a key planning consideration for developers and the local planners that have the power to consent development.
Therefore, most development proposals, including residential and mixed-use developments and new industrial facilities, require an assessment of the impact of air quality in the construction and operational phases.
Development proposals must meet relevant local air quality requirements and national guidance, such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Phlorum Air Quality Team is highly experienced in discussing air quality assessment methodologies with local environmental and planning officers.
We are particularly experienced in supporting clients in London and the south-east of England with specific local assessments such as emission mitigation studies (required in Sussex and Kent) and air quality neutral and positive assessments (required in London).
Pre-planning advice on air quality matters is often crucial for projects in highly constrained locations, e.g., where baseline air quality conditions might be poor and pollution exposure high. Our air quality experts have provided expert air quality assessments for planning services for various early-stage design assessments, including detailed dispersion modelling studies to determine optimum locations for mechanical ventilation air intakes for large residential schemes in urban locations.
Early consideration of air quality constraints can often assist the planning approval process for developers and also reduce the risk of unwanted, additional project costs, such as retrofitted engineering/mitigation solutions.
Air quality consultants are essential to ensure that any air quality assessments that support planning applications for land development projects are conducted thoroughly and to the satisfaction of the local planning authority. We have a proven track record in delivering technically robust assessments for planning and have a well-developed quality assurance process to ensure that all technical reports meet client requirements and any relevant national and local legislation, policy, and guidance.
Our team is highly experienced in air quality assessment and reporting to support planning applications of various types and scales. We cover the whole UK but work predominantly in London and the south-east of England, utilising our technical expertise and connections in local authorities and other organisations to help facilitate positive client planning outcomes.
We comprise a team of highly motivated principals and senior consultants, supported by more junior air quality practitioners. This team provides the required technical assurance and flexibility to respond consistently to our clients’ air quality planning needs.
