Air Quality Assessment For Planning

Air Quality Solutions provides the UK's leading air quality assessment for planning application service. We combine the industry’s fastest turnarounds, best prices, and the only FREE air quality assessment service. Our expert air quality consultants have helped secure planning approval for hundreds of applications across the UK.

If you need an air quality assessment for planning, submit a quote today or contact us directly at 0115 857 5801 info@aqsconsultants.com.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about air quality assessments for planning applications. It will include what an air quality assessment for planning is, when they are needed, and why you should choose Air Quality Solutions.  

What is an Air Quality Assessment for Planning?

Planning applications are required when there is a significant alteration to land use, building structure, or site operations.

The purpose of the planning process is to ensure that new proposals comply with national legislation (such as the National Planning Policy Framework) while also aligning with local policies and strategies.

According to legislation and policy, planning applications must also consider the environmental impacts of a proposal.

In larger developments, these factors are brought together within an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and include a wide range of considerations such as flood risk, biodiversity, ecology, noise, and air quality. However, even when a full EIA is not required, councils may still expect standalone assessments that focus on specific issues such as air quality.

An air quality assessment for planning evaluates the impact of a proposal on local air quality and identifies whether air quality mitigation measures are required.

When is an Air Quality Assessment for Planning Required?

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

All 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 guidance (Institute of Air Quality Management), 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 planning 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 Planning in the UK

Air quality assessments are sometimes referred to as air quality impact assessments, air pollution exposure assessments, or building air quality assessments.

The methodology of air quality assessments for planning is guided by technical frameworks such as Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) which sets out how assessments should be conducted and how results are evaluated.

The primary objective of an air quality assessment is to assess whether sensitive receptors will be exposed to unnecessary amounts of air pollution. This standard is set at the UK Air Quality Objectives which provides concentration limits for pollutants.

If objectives are exceeded, mitigation is required to reduce emissions and protect sensitive receptors.

Air Quality Assessment for Planning London

An air quality assessment for planning in London needs to show how proposals align with the London Plan and local policy.

Air Quality Neutral

AQN is a planning requirement in London and is used to demonstrate new developments will not make local air quality worse.

Air Quality Positive Statements

Several councils such as Hackney, Merton, and Tower Hamlets take Air Quality Neutral a step further on larger scale developments, requiring Air Quality Positive Statements. These are used to show how the scheme delivers a measurable net improvement in air quality.

Air Quality Focus Areas (AQFA)

Most of London is covered by Air Quality Management Areas. These are areas of existing poor air quality where monitoring results have exceeded national air quality objectives. However, in London, air quality assessments for planning must also consider hotspots known as Air Quality Focus Areas.

Within AQFAs policy and strategy can differ, including containing stricter requirements to help target the issues.

This can be seen in the A406 (North Circular) AQFA. It has been identified by the Greater London Authority as an AQFA because it repeatedly records high NO₂/PM concentrations and has large numbers of sensitive receptors nearby. So Enfield Council requires an Air pollution exposure assessment where new receptors are close to the carriageway. This allows Enfield to push for mitigation solutions where dispersion modelling exceeds AQOs.

Free Air Quality Assessment for Planning

We are proud to offer the UK’s only free air quality assessment for planning and help clients save thousands of pounds on their planning applications. This service is available for any proposal that meets baseline assessment criteria. Air Quality Solutions also provides the best Air Quality Assessment Cost on our other assessments so get a quote today for an air quality assessment near me.

How to do an Air Quality Assessment?

When completing an air quality assessment for planning, the first stage is to pick the correct assessment (Baseline, Standard or Impact).

The type of air quality assessment can be determined by the planning officer, local/regional policy or by the air quality consultant. For example, developments classified as 'major' for councils in Sussex require an Air Quality Emissions Mitigation Assessment.

Traditionally, air quality assessments are very repetitive and manually driven. We have transformed this with Air Quality Software. Now, air quality assessments for planning are faster, easier and more accurate than ever before.

It is important to note Air Quality Software is a tool used to help air quality assessment consultants. Air quality assessments for planning should always be completed by consultants with specialist knowledge.

Here’s what the new air quality assessment for planning process looks like:

• AQ Tool – This is a webform that is sent to clients that contains all the development-specific information required to complete the assessment.

• UI – Next you are taken to the Air Quality Software user interface where you are required to complete tasks like drawing the site boundary and expected trackout location. Importantly, you pick the monitoring sites and meteorological stations you want to use in the dispersion model.

• Verification – This is the process where you select roads to build the model used in the air quality assessment. Air Quality Software contains the entire network of roads throughout the UK with complete data.

• Report – Once verification is submitted and the air quality consultant is happy to proceed, you are taken to the report. Air Quality Software reports are completely auto populated so consultants no longer need to copy paste any information. Simply review the air impact assessment for planning and submit to the client.

Once the air quality assessment for planning is submitted, it is passed on for a technical review by the councils Environmental Health Officer or Air Quality Officer. They assess whether the report meets the required standards and may either accept it, request clarifications, or require a further assessment before the planning application can proceed.   

Why Choose Air Quality Solutions for Air Quality Assessment Planning?

AQS provides a UK-wide service so whether you need a home air quality assessment for a planning application in London or anywhere in the UK, our air quality specialists can help you secure approval.

At Air Quality Solutions, we stand out as the best air quality consultancy by offering:

• Fastest turnaround times in the industry

• Competitive pricing without compromising quality

• Fixed pricing and upfront payment discount

• The UK’s first and only free air quality assessment service

We specialise in air quality assessment for planning and have helped secure planning permission for hundreds of applications. Contact us today to see how we can help your project.