Air Quality Assessments
Undertaken for new developments at planning stage, Air Quality Assessments are required either as a result of a site being located in an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), or for developments which may have a negative impact on existing air quality.
When is an assessment needed?
Primary polluters include road traffic and on-site energy generation, with the greatest concern being for new residential development. There are two primary requirements for any Air Quality Assessment:
- Considering the impact of introducing residents into an area of known poor air quality, and detailing any required mitigation
- Addressing the impact of increasing traffic from any new development, which could potentially make air quality issues worse
Dispersion modelling
Water Environment can undertake full Air Quality Assessments, including detailed modelling using ADMS Roads. A range of source types and scenarios can be modelled to determine the impact a development may have on existing air quality, or to assess existing pollution levels in an area proposed for residential development.
How we work
- Screening — we establish whether the site lies in or near an AQMA and whether the development's traffic or emissions warrant a full assessment.
- Baseline — we establish existing air quality from monitoring data and background maps for the relevant pollutants.
- Dispersion modelling — we model the development's traffic and energy sources using ADMS Roads, testing the scenarios relevant to the scheme.
- Assessment and mitigation — we assess predicted concentrations at sensitive receptors against the air quality objectives and specify mitigation where needed, reporting for planning.
Why Water Environment?
We undertake full Air Quality Assessments in-house, including detailed dispersion modelling with ADMS Roads, and our qualified assessors have given expert evidence on air quality at planning inquiries. Offering air quality alongside flood risk, drainage and the wider environmental disciplines means we can cover several of a scheme's technical requirements under one roof. We work across all of England and Wales.
We are members of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and hold professional qualifications with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Related Projects
Mountfield Park
Flood Risk Assessment · SuDS & Foul Drainage · Nutrient Neutrality · EIA · Air Quality
Water Environment provided specialist consultancy services for this project.