Air Quality Assessments for Planning Applications

What is an Air Quality Assessment for a Planning Application?

In the UK, the planning system recognizes that air quality is a material planning consideration in the planning process, however, the weight given to air quality depends on a variety of factors including not only the severity of the impacts on air quality but also the local air quality within the surrounding environment.

The UK planning system has a key and important role to play in both improving air quality and also reducing exposure to air pollution, through the development of local planning policies and also through the determination of individual planning applications.

Whilst it is important to incorporate good practice to reduce emissions and exposure into all developments, not all developments will meet the criteria for needing an assessment, with only “major” developments requiring an air quality assessment. The purpose is to inform the decision-making process about a particular development. It is therefore good practice to engage with the Local Planning Authority as well as an air quality specialist to gain agreement on the need for an air quality assessment.

Air Quality Guidance for Planning

As an organization, the Institute of Air Quality Management provides extensive guidance which promotes knowledge and understanding of best working practices in the field of air quality. In particular, the Guidance on Land-use Planning and Development Control: Planning for Air Quality (2017) provides guidance to ensure that air quality is adequately considered in the land-use planning and development control process. A link to this can be found here: https://iaqm.co.uk/text/guidance/air-quality-planning-guidance.pdf

How Air Quality Assessments are carried out for Planning Applications

The requirement for an air quality assessment may be to assess the impact of local air quality on the proposed development itself to assess the exposure that residents or users might experience. There may also be the requirement to assess the impacts of the development itself on the local area. When considering whether an air quality assessment may be needed it is important to take into account:

  • The background and future baseline air quality;
  • The presence of an Air Quality Management Area;
  • If there is likely to be more than 10 residential units or a site area of more than 0.5ha;
  • If there will be more than 1,000 meters squared of floor space for all other uses;
  • Whether there will be more than 10 parking spaces;
  • Whether there will be a centralized energy facility;
  • Whether the development is likely to cause a significant change in Light and Heavy Duty Vehicles; and
  • Whether there will be a realignment of roads.

Better by design

Developments must be designed for good air quality. A good strategy is to incorporate air quality positive mitigation measures into the design. Measures can include:

  • Incorporating green infrastructure (such as green walls);
  • Designing appropriate green space;
  • Encouraging active travel by incorporating good walkways and cycle paths into the design; and
  • Access to electric charging points.

As part of my next blog, I will take a look at the Air Quality Positive policy which is required as part of the London Plan.

Here at Haze Environmental, we offer in-depth and comprehensive knowledge and experience in air quality consultancy services across a project’s life cycle. As members of the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), our consultants belong to a network of professionals and experts in the field of air quality. We can help you assess whether an air quality assessment is required and we are more than happy to discuss your requirements with a FREE no-obligation project review meeting. During this meeting, we will assess whether an assessment is required and the level of detail that is needed for your air quality assessment. Our usual practice is to suggest a phased approach to assessment which could SAVE you money.