Air Quality Assessments for Planning Applications

An air quality assessment evaluates potential effects of a proposed development on local air quality and considers the planning requirements relevant to the site. At FreshBreeze Environmental, we prepare air quality assessments for planning applications across the UK. We use relevant professional guidance and project evidence to prepare clear findings and practical recommendations. Planning decisions remain with the local authority.

What is an air quality assessment?

An air quality assessment examines how a development could affect air pollution and whether future occupants could be exposed to poor air quality. It considers the relevant pollutants, construction activities and operational sources, then identifies proportionate mitigation where needed. The scope depends on the proposal, site evidence and planning requirements.

When do you need an air quality assessment for planning?

A planning authority may request an assessment where the proposal or site raises air quality concerns. Examples include:

• New homes or buildings within, or close to, an Air Quality Management Area
• A scheme that generates significant additional traffic
• Construction or demolition that could produce dust
• On-site combustion plant such as gas boilers, biomass, or combined heat and power (CHP)
• A London development where an Air Quality Neutral assessment is required under current London Plan guidance, subject to applicable exemptions and simplified requirements for some minor schemes

If you’re not sure whether your project needs one, we can give you a quick screening opinion before you commit.

How can air quality be assessed for planning?

Our assessments follow a clear, three stage process.

Step 1 — Establish the baseline

We establish baseline concentrations using suitable background data and, where the project scope requires, site-specific monitoring such as NO2 diffusion tubes. The method depends on the proposal, site and available information.

Step 2 — Assess the impact

We then predict how your development will change local air quality. For schemes with significant traffic or emissions, this involves dispersion modelling using software such as ADMS-Roads — to estimate pollutant concentrations at nearby homes, schools, and other sensitive receptors.

Step 3 — Recommend mitigation

Where the assessment identifies a relevant impact or planning requirement, we consider proportionate mitigation. That might mean low emission heating such as air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging, improved ventilation, or a construction dust management plan to control dust during the build.

Which pollutants and standards do we assess against?

Depending on the sources and assessment scope, pollutants can include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Results are assessed against the objectives, standards and other assessment criteria relevant to the location and project. Planning policy requirements, including those in London, are considered separately where applicable.

Why choose FreshBreeze for your air quality assessment?

• Clear, project-specific reporting — with findings and recommendations based on the agreed scope and relevant guidance
• Local knowledge — experience with AQMAs and planning policy across London, Birmingham, and Manchester
• Clear communication — no jargon, just a report you and your planning team can actually use
• Clear programme — scope and timings agreed upfront, subject to project complexity and receipt of required information

Which site criteria can trigger an air quality assessment?

Start with the location, proposed use and emissions. A site review considers:

• Existing pollution: nearby busy roads, junctions, industrial sources and the latest local monitoring evidence, including any Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
• People using the site: whether new homes, schools, nurseries, care homes or other occupied buildings could be exposed to poor air quality.
• Traffic changes: additional cars, vans, HGVs, servicing trips, parking and changes to road layout.
• Energy and processes: boilers, CHP, generators, stacks and other proposed emission sources.
• Construction: demolition, earthworks, construction activities, site traffic and nearby sensitive locations.
• Planning requirements: the council’s validation list, local policy, environmental health comments and any planning condition. London schemes also need a separate check against Air Quality Neutral requirements.

These are reasons to review a site, rather than automatic requirements for a full modelling study. Our feasibility and due diligence service can help identify the appropriate next step.

Indicative development and traffic screening criteria

The EPUK and IAQM planning guidance uses two stages to screen the development’s effects on the surrounding area. Stage 1 considers:

• Housing: 10 or more dwellings, or a site area above 0.5 hectares.
• Other uses: more than 1,000 square metres of floorspace, or a site area above 1 hectare.

At least one of those size criteria must be combined with more than 10 parking spaces, or a centralised energy facility or other centralised combustion process, to proceed to Stage 2 under that framework.

Examples of Stage 2 traffic criteria, on roads with relevant receptors, are changes of:

• More than 100 light duty vehicle movements per day within or adjacent to an AQMA, or more than 500 elsewhere.
• More than 25 heavy duty vehicle movements per day within or adjacent to an AQMA, or more than 100 elsewhere.

These figures are annual average daily traffic (AADT), rather than peak hour flows. They are indicative assessment screening criteria, not statutory limits or automatic triggers for detailed modelling. Other local criteria, future occupants’ exposure and construction dust also need checking.

Why address air quality early, and when should you commission the work?

Check air quality during site feasibility or pre-application discussions, before fixing the layout, ventilation and energy strategy. Early advice can identify information needed for submission and reduce the risk of a late request for extra work. If a permission includes an air quality or dust condition, check the wording and obtain the required approval before the stage it controls.

What information do we need to prepare your quote?

• Site address, postcode, local authority and planning reference, if available.
• Existing and proposed use, number of homes, floorspace and site plans.
• Planning officer comments, validation requirements or the exact condition wording.
• Traffic, parking, servicing, heating and generator details, where relevant.
• Demolition and construction activities, expected programme and nearby sensitive uses.
• Previous reports and your submission or project deadline.

Send the information you already have. We will identify any gaps and agree the scope, fee and programme before work starts. For Birmingham and the West Midlands, see our local air quality consultancy service.

Which air quality service does your project need?

• Planning submission: screening or an assessment proportionate to the proposal.
• Traffic or plant emissions: air quality dispersion modelling where screening cannot resolve the potential effects.
• London emissions benchmarks: an Air Quality Neutral assessment, where applicable.
• Demolition or construction: a dust risk assessment and management plan, with monitoring where required.
• Problems inside a building: an indoor air quality investigation with testing selected for the concern.

Air quality assessment for planning: frequently asked questions

How long does an air quality assessment take?

Timescales depend on the agreed scope, the information available and any monitoring or modelling needed. Send your submission deadline with the enquiry. We confirm the programme in our proposal and identify any data we need from your project team.

How much does an air quality assessment cost?

The fee depends on the site, development scale, available data and whether modelling or monitoring is needed. Send your plans and planning requirements for a written project quote. We confirm the scope, exclusions, programme and fee before work starts.

What is an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)?
An AQMA is a defined area designated by a local authority where one or more relevant air quality objectives are not being met or are unlikely to be met. The authority’s order identifies the boundary and pollutant. Whether an assessment is needed depends on the proposal, location and planning requirements.

Do I need an assessment for a small development?

Sometimes. A small scheme or change of use may introduce occupants to an existing pollution hotspot, involve an emission source or fall within a local validation requirement. We review these issues before recommending the extent of assessment.

Does a site outside an AQMA need an air quality assessment?

It can. New emissions, nearby pollution sources, sensitive occupants and local planning requirements may justify an assessment outside an AQMA. The boundary alone does not determine the scope.

Does being inside an AQMA mean detailed modelling is required?

No. We review the proposal and available evidence first. A proportionate screening assessment may be sufficient; detailed modelling is used where the potential effects need further investigation.

Is Air Quality Neutral the same as a full air quality assessment?

No. Air Quality Neutral compares a London development’s building and transport emissions with defined benchmarks. A planning air quality assessment considers local pollution effects and exposure. A project may require both. Exclusions and simplified procedures apply to some developments under the Greater London Authority guidance.

Do you need to monitor my site before preparing the report?

Not always. Existing local authority monitoring and suitable background data may provide enough evidence. We recommend additional monitoring where a specific information gap needs to be addressed and agree its purpose and duration before it begins.

Can a planning air quality report replace indoor air testing?

No. A planning report and an indoor investigation answer different questions. Tell us whether you need evidence for a planning application or help with a concern inside an occupied building, so we can scope the appropriate service.

Can you help discharge an air quality planning condition?

Yes. Send the decision notice, exact condition wording, approved plans and previous reports. We will review the evidence required and quote for the relevant assessment or management plan. Approval of the submitted details rests with the planning authority.

Do you work outside Birmingham?

Yes. Freshbreeze Environmental Ltd is based in Birmingham and supports projects across the UK. Assessment requirements differ between local authorities and UK nations, so we check the relevant requirements for each site.

Where does this screening guidance come from?

For projects in England, useful starting points are the government’s air quality planning guidance and the EPUK and IAQM Planning for Air Quality guidance. London requirements are explained in the Greater London Authority Air Quality Neutral guidance. We check local requirements and the guidance relevant to the assessment at the time of instruction.

Send your site details for a quote
Need air quality input for a planning application? Contact Freshbreeze Environmental Ltd to discuss the assessment scope, programme and fee for your project. Call 0121 827 2737 or email info@freshbreezeeltd.co.uk for a fixed quote.