What Pollutants Are Considered in an Air Quality Assessment?
An air quality assessment considers the pollutants most likely to affect a proposed development, nearby residents, existing land...
Our planning air quality assessments consider whether a site is suitable for its proposed use and how the development may affect local pollution levels.
Depending on the project, the assessment may consider:
Existing concentrations of relevant pollutants
Exposure at proposed homes, schools or other sensitive uses
Changes in road traffic generated by the development
Emissions from boilers, generators, biomass or combined heat and power plant
Air Quality Neutral requirements for relevant London developments
Potential effects on designated ecological sites
The report will identify any design changes or mitigation needed to demonstrate that the development can operate without unacceptable air-quality effects.
An odour assessment may be required where a proposed development is close to restaurants, commercial kitchens, industrial premises, waste facilities or other potential odour sources.
We assess the likelihood of odour affecting future occupants or neighbouring properties using site observations, source information, dispersion modelling and relevant planning guidance.
Where appropriate, we also consider whether the proposed building layout could alter airflow and odour dispersion. Our report will recommend practical measures such as separation distances, extraction changes, stack design, filtration or alternative ventilation arrangements.
We prepare construction dust risk assessments and Dust Management Plans for developments where demolition, earthworks, construction activity or trackout could affect nearby homes, businesses or sensitive receptors.
The assessment considers the scale of the works, surrounding land uses and the likelihood of dust soiling or effects from particulate matter. It then sets out proportionate controls for the construction team.
We can also assess existing operational dust sources, such as quarries, mineral sites or industrial premises, where they may affect the suitability of a proposed development. Monitoring can be undertaken where site-specific evidence is required.
An air quality assessment may be required if your proposal introduces new homes or other sensitive uses, increases traffic, includes combustion plant or is close to an existing pollution or odour source.
Send us the site address, development description, drawings and any comments from the planning authority. We will review the information and advise on the likely assessment scope, programme and fee.
An air quality assessment evaluates how a development may affect pollution levels and whether the proposed occupants could be exposed to poor air quality.
The scope depends on the development and location, but may include:
Our report explains the assessment method, data used, predicted effects and relevant criteria. Where mitigation is needed, we provide practical recommendations that can be considered by the design and planning teams.
Developments of any size will need an air pollution report. Councils are will ask for a report for any residential development in area where there is poor air quality. Similarly, any development that will generate any traffic or have any polluting plant will need an air quality report, especially if it located within, or close to, air area where air pollution is high. All developments in London need to be air quality neutral. Almost all developments in London will need at least a basic air quality assessment.
As specialist Air Quality Consultants, we can offer a range of air quality assessments and air pollution reports, including:
All of our assessments are been undertaken according to Defra’s current Technical Guidance on Local Air Quality Management (TG22) and the IAQM’s Land-Use Planning & Development Control: Planning for Air Quality (January 2017). Construction impacts on air quality are assessed according to the IAQM’s 2024 edition of the Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction.
Our assessments consider the legal limits of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), as well as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Although not normally a problem in the UK, we can also assess concentrations of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead and benzene.
The main stages are:
Most air quality assessments are desk based studies and don’t need air quality monitoring. If required, we are can conduct nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube monitoring, as well as dust monitoring via deposition gauges and automatic monitoring stations. These can give real-time feedback on air pollution levels. This is especially useful for construction dust monitoring.
The legal limits are as follows:
An air quality assessment evaluates how a proposed development may affect local pollution levels and whether future occupants could be exposed to unacceptable air quality. It can consider traffic emissions, nearby industrial or combustion sources, construction dust and odour.
An assessment may be required where a development could increase traffic, introduce sensitive uses, involve combustion plant or be located close to an existing pollution source. The planning authority may also request one where air quality is already a local concern.
Assessments are commonly prepared for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. They may also be needed for schools, healthcare facilities, industrial sites, energy projects and schemes close to busy roads or other emission sources.
The pollutants assessed depend on the site and proposal. They may include nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, combustion emissions, road-traffic pollutants, construction dust and odorous compounds.
Useful information includes the site address, development description, layout drawings, traffic data, proposed plant or energy equipment and any comments from the planning authority. Further details may be requested once the likely assessment scope has been reviewed.
The report normally explains the development, assessment method, data used, predicted effects and relevant planning criteria. It also provides practical recommendations where mitigation or design changes are needed.
Yes. Where required, Hawkins Environmental can use dispersion modelling to estimate how emissions from roads, energy plant or industrial sources may affect the development and surrounding area.
Yes. A construction dust risk assessment can consider demolition, earthworks, construction activity and trackout from vehicles. It can also recommend suitable control measures and determine whether monitoring may be needed.
Yes. An odour assessment may be required where a proposed development is close to restaurants, commercial kitchens, industrial premises, waste facilities or other potential odour sources. The assessment can consider likely exposure and appropriate mitigation.
It is best to seek advice during the early planning or design stage. Early input can identify likely assessment requirements, inform the site layout and reduce the risk of delays or avoidable redesign later in the application process.
An air quality assessment considers the pollutants most likely to affect a proposed development, nearby residents, existing land...
Air quality concerns near busy roads are an important consideration for planners, developers, architects and local authorities across...
An air quality assessment is a technical study used to evaluate how a proposed development could affect local...