Air Quality Assessments – Ealing

The London Borough of Ealing (LBE) has some of the most stringent air quality planning requirements across the UK. The entire borough has been declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), and most of the borough is in exceedance of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) air quality guidelines for PM_2.5. 

When do you need an Air Quality Assessment in Ealing?

LBE has the same basic requirements for Air Quality Assessments as the rest of London and as such air quality neutral assessments are required to support planning applications. However, Ealing has an Air Quality and Pollution Supplementary Planning Guidance which sets out its additional requirements. The guidance states that LBE may impose conditions to achieve the following:

• Secure the submission of a full emissions inventory.
• Secure the submission of a scheme for monitoring air quality in areas affected by the development.
• To restrict certain types/class of vehicles which do not meet prescribed air quality standards.
• To secure vehicle testing to ensure that vehicles and locomotives meet prescribed standards.
• To secure the submission of a Green Travel Plan and Transport Assessment.

These conditions go beyond what is normally required of proposed development in London and are evidence of the LBE’s dedication to minimising the exposure of its residents to pollution.  

The London Borough of Ealing also often requires that residential developments produce a Ventilation Strategy Report, via planning conditions. This report details how to mitigate elevated concentrations of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, ensuring healthier living conditions for residents. Air Quality Assessments are often required to support these Ventilation Strategy Reports, helping to identify areas with the lowest pollution levels and the most suitable locations for vents. In some cases, Greenavon Ltd may be able to provide evidence that the request for Ventilation Strategy Reports is overly onerous.

How Greenavon can help?

Greenavon have developed working relationships with officers at the London Borough of Ealing and routinely consult with them to discuss projects and where possible agree the approach, in advance of planning submission. This is done to maximise the project’s chances of gaining planning permission and minimising the need for any additional work which might be required via planning conditions.