Air Quality Assessment

Air quality assessments are a standard part of the planning process as most new developments have the potential to worsen local air quality.

Developments can generate transport emissions, introduce new combustion sources, and give rise to dust during construction. As a result, it is important to understand the impact a development has on local air quality and assess its need for air quality mitigation.

This article explains what an air quality assessment is, when it is required, and what it involves. We also highlight the steps Air Quality Solutions have taken to improve the assessment process through the development of software.

The figure below presents a heatmap of dispersion modelling results for PM2.5. Air quality consultants use these results to determine whether a development is likely to exceed relevant air quality objectives.

What is an Air Quality Assessment for Planning?

An air quality assessment for planning is a technical report suitable for submission to a local planning authority that is sometimes requested to support a planning application.

It evaluates a development's impact on local air quality and determines the need for mitigation. It does so in accordance with national legislation, such as the National Planning Policy Framework, and local planning policy.

Assessments vary depending on the context of the development. However, in the UK, the key pollutants are NOx, PM10, and PM2.5, and the main contributor of these pollutants is motor vehicles. As such, air quality assessments typically focus on these pollutants and the impact transport emissions have.

Air quality assessments are prepared by an air quality consultant following technical guidance such as LAQM Technical Guidance, which details methodologies of best practice when undertaking assessments.

When is an Air Quality Assessment required?

Whether an air quality assessment is required for a planning application is ultimately determined by the local authority.

Many councils have guidance addressing air quality and some have criteria to determine when an air quality assessment is necessary. For example, Salford City Council requires an Air Quality Assessment if the development includes a new sensitive receptor within an AQMA.

According to IAQM (Institute of Air Quality Management) guidance, an assessment is usually needed if any of the following apply:

• The site is within or near an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)

• The development is expected to increase traffic significantly

• Sensitive uses are proposed, such as housing, schools, or healthcare facilities

• Large-scale commercial or industrial activity is involved

Therefore, developments in London and other major cities are more likely to require an air quality assessment for planning. This is because these areas often contain AQMAs, have a higher concentration of sensitive receptors, and are subject to stricter air quality policy.

More broadly, the demand for air quality assessments is increasing across the UK. Growing public awareness combined with emerging research of the serious health impacts of poor air quality has led many councils to strengthen their policies.

Air Quality Assessment Near Me

Air Quality Solutions provides a UK-wide air quality consultant service so whether you need an air quality assessment in London or Glasgow, we have you covered.

Our expert air quality consultants have completed air pollution assessments all over the UK, so we are familiar with the local constraints and regulatory nuances in each region. Contact us today if you need an air quality assessment near me.

What does an Air Quality Assessment involve?

Air quality assessments can be categorised into two types: Basic Air Quality Assessment and Detailed Air Quality Assessment. The key distinction is the use of dispersion modelling, which is typically required for larger developments or where significant impacts might be anticipated.

Most air quality assessments include a construction dust risk assessment, which evaluates the potential for dust emissions during construction and identifies appropriate mitigation measures.

For developments in London, an Air Quality Neutral Assessment is required. This assessment compares development emissions against established benchmarks to determine whether the proposed development will worsen local air quality.

Where predicted pollutant concentrations exceed air quality objectives, an emission mitigation assessment may also be required to determine the level of mitigation needed to offset the development’s impact.

Basic Air Quality Assessment

Baseline or basic air quality assessments do not contain a dispersion model and are typically sufficient for smaller developments. In these air quality reports, we look at the baseline conditions and assess the need for a further assessment (i.e. Air Quality Impact Assessment).

Air quality consultants use annual status report monitoring data, DEFRA background concentrations, and site context to provide an estimate of what conditions will be like on site.

A further air quality assessment is needed if anticipated traffic exceeds screening criteria and if there is potential for future occupants to be exposed to unacceptable levels of air pollution.

Detailed Air Quality Assessment

For larger developments or in areas where air quality is particularly bad such as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), we need a more accurate view of the expected air quality concentrations on site, so we build a dispersion model.

Detailed Air Quality Assessments also known as Air Quality Impact Assessments compare the results from the dispersion model to Air Quality Objectives and this determines whether a site requires an emission mitigation assessment.

Air quality impact assessment considers the air quality at the development site and at surrounding sensitive receptors in the development's vicinity.

Construction Dust Risk Assessment

A Construction Dust Risk Assessment is a standard component of an air quality assessment for planning and evaluates the potential for dust emissions during demolition, earthworks, construction, and trackout activities.

Prepared in accordance with IAQM guidance, a dust risk assessment classifies risk levels and identifies proportionate mitigation measures, such as wheel washing, to minimise dust impacts during the construction phase.

In cases where dust impacts may cause significant harm, local authorities may also require dust monitoring to accompany the works.

Dust monitoring allows concentrations to be tracked throughout construction, and where elevated levels or exceedances are identified, additional mitigation measures can be implemented promptly to reduce emissions and ensure compliance with planning conditions.

Air Quality Neutral Assessment

London experiences some of the worst air pollutant concentrations in the UK. Most of the region is designated as an Air Quality Management Area and it further contains Air Quality Focus Areas which are hotspots of poor air quality.

To tackle this, London has some of the strictest air quality policy which is reflected when undertaking an air quality assessment in London.

London’s planning framework, guided by the London Plan, requires developers in London to demonstrate their proposals are Air Quality Neutral (and sometimes Air Quality Positive), meaning the development’s building and transport emissions are required to meet emission benchmarks so proposals don’t worsen pollution.

To learn more about air quality neutral requirements in London, read our article on the air quality neutral assessment.

Emission Mitigation Assessment

When developments are likely to exceed Air Quality Objectives, developers are usually required to implement mitigation measures to reduce or offset their impact.

Emission mitigation assessments are used to make sure proposed mitigation is proportionate to development emissions by assigning a damage cost to generated emissions that must be offset through mitigation.

Internal emission mitigation measures aim to reduce pollutant exposure once the development is occupied. These can include the use of mechanical ventilation with filtration, sealed windows, or locating intake vents away from pollution sources such as busy roads. In some cases, green walls or vegetation barriers are used to enhance natural filtration.

External mitigation addresses the emissions generated by the development itself, most commonly from vehicle traffic. Typical strategies include:

• Provision of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

• Designing developments to encourage active travel (walking and cycling)

• Upgrading local roads to improve traffic flow and reduce idling

The goal of emission mitigation assessments is to ensure the development does not worsen air quality for existing or future occupants and ideally contributes to a net improvement. Read our article on emission mitigation assessment to learn more.

Air Quality Assessment Tools

Traditionally, air quality assessments have been time-consuming and prone to error. To address this challenge, we developed air quality assessment tools to streamline the entire assessment process, from quote to report.

We wanted to revolutionise how an air quality assessment is completed. After reviewing feedback from clients, we found their top priorities boiled down to three things: Speed, Price, and Quality.

To find out more about the tools we have developed to improve air quality assessments, read our article on our air quality software.

Air Quality Assessment Cost

It is no surprise that air quality assessment cost is an important factor when clients consider what air quality consultancy to pick.

Through the significant automations made with our software, we have been able to make the cost of completing assessments much cheaper. This has enabled us to offer clients the most competitive pricing in the industry.

Read our article on air quality assessment cost to discover how much different air quality assessment services cost and what factors influence price.

Why Air Quality Solutions?

The future of air quality assessments lies in speed, affordability, and accuracy. We are proud to be leading that transformation.

By listening to our clients and building purpose-built software, we've redefined how air quality assessments are completed. Our system dramatically reduces turnaround time, lowers costs, and improves reliability by eliminating manual errors and streamlining every step of the process.

Do you need an Air Quality Assessment? Contact us today for a free quote.