Call us free on 0808 168 9540
Call us free on 0808 168 9540
Air quality is a key consideration in land use planning and there is well established legislation, policy, and guidance at local, regional, and national levels, on the assessment of air quality impacts.
The effects of exposure to poor air quality on human health and ecosystem function are well understood and therefore it is crucial for developers that air quality impacts resulting from their developments are assessed appropriately and mitigated where required, in accordance with planning regulations and requirements.
Phlorum’s air quality consultants have extensive experience in undertaking air quality assessments for planning and have supported numerous clients in London, the south-east of England (Sussex, Surrey, and Kent) and across the UK, including major land developers, local builders and the planning consultants that support them in obtaining necessary planning consents.
The type of air quality assessment that is required to support a planning application depends on the scale of the development and the nature and level of emissions that are generated by a proposal, be that road traffic emissions from a large housing development or stack emissions from a small industrial process.
The Phlorum Air Quality Team is highly experienced in determining the appropriate scope of assessment for a wide range of development types and can produce simple screening assessments for smaller proposals, through to 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 a wide variety of sources and pollutants to support planning applications for different project types.
Our team is fully conversant with the key methodological approaches to various types of air quality assessment 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.
Assessment of construction-phase and operational-phase air quality impacts is therefore required for most development proposals, including residential and mixed-used developments, and new industrial facilities.
In addition to national guidance, such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), it is critical that development proposals meet relevant local air quality requirements. The Phlorum Air Quality Team is highly experienced in discussing air quality assessment methodologies with local environmental and planning officers, and has particular experience 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 scale. We cover the whole of the 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 planning outcomes for our clients.
We comprise a team of highly motivated principal and senior consultants, supported by more junior air quality practitioners, which provides the required technical assurance and flexibility to consistently respond to our clients’ air quality planning needs.
