Planning a development in the UK, whether it’s residential, commercial, or mixed-use, can be a complex process. Local planning authorities increasingly require environmental assessments as part of planning submissions. This is where an Environmental Consultant becomes an essential part of your team.
What Does an Environmental Consultant Do?
An environmental consultant provides expert advice and reporting to support planning applications, helping developers meet regulatory requirements. Their main role is to assess potential environmental impacts and provide technical documentation needed for approval.
Services Often Include:
- Air Quality Assessments
- Lighting Impact Assessments
- Noise Assessments
- Daylight Assessments
- Environmental Planning Support
- Construction Impact Assessments
At Hawkins Environmental, we specialise in these services with a clear focus on air quality and dust-related planning concerns — aligning directly with UK planning legislation.
Why Are Environmental Consultants Important for Planning?
1. Ensure Compliance with Local and National Policy
Planning applications must comply with both local planning policy and frameworks like the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). An experienced environmental consultant will ensure your proposals are aligned with these requirements, minimising delays.
2. Support for Air Quality and Dust Management
Projects near schools, hospitals, or within Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) often require a detailed air quality assessment. At Hawkins Environmental, we provide reports tailored to the specific concerns of local planning authorities.
3. Expert Representation and Liaison
Consultants frequently liaise with Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), providing clarifications, negotiating mitigation measures, and ensuring technical issues are resolved early — smoothing your path to approval.
4. Planning Application Success
Applications supported by robust environmental documentation are far more likely to gain approval on the first submission. Avoiding objections on environmental grounds can save months in the planning process.
Key Documents We Provide
As part of our environmental consultancy service, we deliver planning-ready documents, including:
- Air Quality Reports – required for developments that may impact air pollution
- Dust Risk Assessments – vital for construction-phase impact predictions
- Odour Assessments – often necessary for food, waste, or industrial premises
These documents are professionally prepared, formatted to local authority expectations, and fully referenced with the latest government guidance.
Who Needs an Environmental Consultant?
You may need to appoint an environmental consultant if your project:
- Is located near a major road or existing pollution source
- Falls within or near an AQMA
- Is a large residential or commercial development
- Involves waste, industrial or food-based activities
- Includes demolition or significant construction phases
The Hawkins Environmental Approach
We work closely with planning consultants, architects, and developers to deliver fast, effective support.
An Environmental Consultant plays a crucial role in navigating the planning system, helping ensure that your development is compliant, sustainable, and likely to receive approval. Their input, particularly around air quality and dust, has become increasingly essential in the eyes of planning authorities across the UK.
Whether you’re planning a small residential extension or a major commercial development, bringing in an experienced environmental consultant early can save time, money, and stress.
Need planning support? Contact Hawkins Environmental today to discuss your requirements.
Contact Hawkins Environmental
- Phone: 01256 522332
- Email: enquiry@hawkinsenvironmental.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do all planning applications require an environmental consultant?
A1: Not all projects do, but developments in sensitive areas, or those with potential environmental impacts, often need environmental input to meet planning requirements.
Q2: How long does it take to get an air quality assessment?
A2: At Hawkins Environmental, we typically deliver assessments within 5–7 working days, depending on project complexity and data availability.
Q3: What’s the difference between an air quality “test” and an air quality “assessment”?
A3: A “test” usually implies on-site monitoring, which can take months. In most cases, a desktop air quality assessment using modelling and data is sufficient and more relevant to planning applications.