Air Quality & Odour

Air Quality Assessment for Planning and Due Diligence

At both due diligence and planning stages, our task is to demonstrate the suitability of the site for development, both in terms of the exposure of future occupants to baseline conditions, and the potential impacts of the development itself on local air quality, including sensitive human receptors and ecological designated sites. These assessments are wide ranging and where applicable, consider emissions from road traffic, point sources, construction, mineral extraction, material handling, biological processes, and livestock rearing. A variety of assessment tools are used to assess the associated impacts, with dispersion modelling of point source and vehicle emissions essential for many projects.

Our support is tailored to best meet our clients’ needs, and the output can range from simple advice or simple planning submission documents, through to statutory Environmental Impact Assessment and planning enquiry expert witness support.

Paul has recently managed a complex Air Quality Assessment for the construction of a new hospital wing and an associated multi-storey car park, in West Yorkshire. The Environmental Statement chapter considered the impacts of the two schemes individually and cumulatively, reviewed proposed mitigation measures in the context of emissions ‘damage’ costs, and took into account the changes to the pattern of vehicle movements in the wider area associated with the consolidation of services within the NHS Trust.

Odour Assessment

Being largely subjective, the assessment of odour impacts is a unique challenge that we relish. We use a range of qualitative and quantitative assessment tools to achieve our clients’ goals, and our staff have had their olfactory sensitivity calibrated to add weight to our odour surveying capabilities. Our odour expertise has wide ranging functions, including planning application support, complaints investigation and as a tool alongside air quality monitoring for the investigation of potential health impacts from industrial and land remediation activities, and in the indoor environment.

We have extensive experience of assessing odours from the development of odour sources such as sewage works, waste transfer stations, landfill, industry, restaurants and commercial kitchens, paint spraying and intensive agriculture, and for new residential schemes in the vicinity of these uses.

Recent experience includes Environmental Impact Assessment for a major expansion of poultry farms in Lincolnshire, for which odour emissions were a principal challenge. Dispersion modelling of odour was undertaken to determine the required stack heights and fan speeds, with close liaison with the project’s noise consultants required to ensure that this did not lead to significant noise impacts and nearby dwellings.

Construction Phase Assessment

Assessment of construction phase dust and particulate matter emissions is generally required where any significant demolition or construction activities will take place within 350m of other sensitive uses. Our assessments consider the potential for nuisance, human health and ecological smothering effects and recommend an appropriate level of mitigation to avoid significant residual effects. We can provide a tailored Dust Management Plan, suitable for inclusion within a Construction Environmental Management Plan, in order to satisfy the local planning authority, and de-risk the developer.

Paul was recently involved in the dust assessment and mitigation strategy for the demolition of cooling towers at a historic power station in Shropshire. Given the importance of the site to the area, the project necessitated extensive liaison with the local authority and other stakeholders, and consideration of the position of, and the potential for impacts at a viewing area set up for members of the public to observe the demolition process.

Indoor Air Quality

As the exposure of the public to outdoor air pollution has long been the focus of the discipline, concentrations of the key pollutants have reduced. This has led to is an increasing emphasis from policy makers and practitioners on indoor air quality, with recognition of the influence this has on people’s health, wellbeing and productivity, particularly given that we spend most of our lives indoors. Our indoor air quality consultancy services include:

• BREEAM Services for Hea 02 and Pol 02 credits
• Health and wellbeing survey
• Sick building syndrome investigation
• Occupational exposure compliance
• Building performance evaluation
• Compliance with building regulations, planning policy and air quality standards.

Air Quality Monitoring

In addition to monitoring dust and particulate matter during construction, we provide a suite of air quality monitoring services for specific client requirements, or to supplement the above assessment areas. These include personal and static, pumped and passive sampling of gases, particles and odour in both indoor and outdoor environments. Results are compared with relevant air quality standards; and advice is provided, where necessary, to the best practicable means of mitigating any identified impacts.

A highlight has been involvement in the monitoring of particulate matter at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, before, during and after the Olympics, to monitor the effects of construction and repurposing works within the Athlete’s Village, now known as Chobham Manor.