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Air Quality Management Assessment for Pre-Planning 

Planning Guidance & Air Quality


The UK has a focus on planning guidance and legislation in terms of Air Quality impacts, and developers must be prepared to address more rigorous demands to meet the requirements of the UK Plan. As local authorities strive to meet their air quality goals, developers must take the necessary measure to reduce their impact on the environment.


An air quality management assessment will establish a baseline of the local air quality and illustrate the impact of a proposed development. It is a crucial part of the planning process and will determine the suitability of a proposed development. Prevent costly delays in your planning process with an air quality management assessment from Ultra Protect.

Nationwide Air Quality Management Assessments


Our Air Quality consultants work throughout Southern England and the UK, with a team of fully qualified Air Quality specialists on hand to complete assessments and advice. Our clients include Planning Consultants, Architects, Local Authorities and the Environment Agency, the NHS, Schools and Universities, Major Developers, as well as the general public.


Whether your project involves a large-scale commercial or office development or a residential scheme, our consultants help you from pre-planning to construction all the way through to occupancy.

What Information Should Be Included In An Air Quality Management Assessment?

The information that should be included in an Air Quality Management Assessment (AQMA) will differ depending on whether a basic or detailed Air Quality statement is required. The AQMA needs to consider measures to reduce any impact to an acceptable level, which should be proportionate to the scale and type of development.




All sites requiring real-time dust monitoring must complete a three-month baseline monitoring period before any onsite construction/demolition works may begin.

An Air Quality Management Assessment Typically Includes The Following:

  • Evaluation of the baseline Air Quality.
  • Assessment of potential Air Quality impacts during the construction phase.
  • Assessment of potential Air Quality impacts during the operational phase.
  • Identify mitigation measures (as required) in accordance with relevant guidance.


Discuss An Air Quality Assessment For Your Project With Our Team.


A Typical Process For Air Quality Assessment For Planning Involves:

  • Identifying relevant local, regional and national policies.
  • Establishing baseline conditions (including site specific monitoring as appropriate).
  • Screening the need for a detailed air quality assessment.
  • Carrying out a detailed Air Quality assessment if required.
  • Assessment of cumulative impacts as appropriate.
  • Assessment of residential suitability as appropriate.
  • Construction dust assessment, and management plan, if required.
  • Identifying site specific construction and operational mitigation measures.


Speak With An Air Quality Assessment Expert

Odour Assessments For Planning Applications

Ultra Protect has extensive experience in Odour Assessments.

Odour emissions are potentially generated from multiple sources, including:



  • Commercial kitchens, restaurants and fast-food outlets.
  • Intensive livestock farming and slurry management.
  • Abattoirs.
  • Wastewater and sewage treatment.
  • Waste management and incineration.
  • Composting facilities.
  • Several industrial processes.

 

If your project is likely to cause an odour that will impact its surroundings, or if your proposed development is near existing odour sources, an odour assessment may be required as part of your planning application.

 

Our consultants have developed longstanding relationships with local authorities and Environmental Health Officers and will happily liaise with them on your behalf to overcome any potential odour issues.


We aim to give your planning application the best chance of approval, first time.

British Standards & noise guidance documents for planning applications

BS4142 – Rating of industrial noise, required to investigate the impact of a noise source that is located or is proposed to be located close to any residential dwellings. You may be required to carry out a daytime or a night-time BS4142 noise assessment.

Pro PG (Professional Practice Guidance on Planning and Noise) – Used for assessing the impact of transportation noise on a new residential development. This could be a new build scheme or a change of use.

PPG 24 – Environmental Planning Guidance, required to investigate the suitability of land for the building of residential housing (or change of use), considering any existing noise source such as roads, motorways, railways or nearby factory workings etc. Noise testing is normally carried out over a 24-hour representative period.

BS8233:2014 – identifies appropriate internal and external noise levels for bedrooms, living spaces and gardens for daytime and night-time. It also provides guidance on sound insulation design.

Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) – sets out the long-term vision of government noise policy.

BB93 Building Bulletin – School and College Acoustics - A document that provides guidance on acoustic treatments for school building design. Typically, we would carry out noise measurements to establish the internal reverberance of a classroom or a lecture theatre to check it complies with building criteria and conforms to the above document.

WHO Guidelines – The World Health Organisation is the leading authority on research on the detrimental health effects of excessive noise exposure. The WHO guidelines highlight acceptable noise levels in bedrooms conducive to undisturbed sleep patterns for occupants.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – advises on how planning can manage potential noise impacts in a new development.

Your Noise Acoustic Assessment will include:


  • Up to two site visits as standard.
  • Noise monitoring at designated areas.
  • Analysis of noise data using industry leading software with calibrated and certificated equipment.
  • A full acoustic technical report.
  • Recommended mitigation measures, if necessary.
  • Liaison with the local authority, as appropriate.

Contact Us to Discuss Your Pre-Planning Air, Odour and Noise Assessments


Make sure your planned development and environment are suitable for each other. Understand the air quality for your local area and the potential impact of your development with our air quality assessments. With our reliable and accurate air quality analysis, you can develop air quality management plans to meet legislative requirements and avoid delays in the planning permission process. 


Learn more and get started today. Get in touch with an air quality expert below.


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Air Quality Management Assessment FAQ

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • What assessments are required for air quality management?

    An air quality management Assessment can include a number of assessments, such as dust management assessments. Each assessment will have different requirements depending on the local authorities' goals and the type of development. Initial baseline assessments can be used to determine the full scope of the pre-planning assessment.

  • Why can air quality make an area unsuitable for a development?

    Existing air quality may make an area unsuitable for a proposed development. There are significant health risks associated with poor air quality meaning areas with bad air quality may be unsuitable for residential developments. Whilst an air quality management assessment can show how a development will impact air quality, it can also be used to determine if the existing air quality is viable for the proposed development. 

  • What is considered in an air quality assessment?

    An air quality assessment looks at several areas of a development, including construction impacts, the introduction of new exposure, the impact on the road network, and source emissions.

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