Wales has some of the worst air quality in the UK. A road in Caerphilly recently recorded the worst air quality in the UK outside of London, and Cardiff is in the top 5 most polluted cities in the UK relative to its size (bigger towns and cities are generally more polluted). There are several Air Quality Management Areas in Wales, including four in Cardiff and the Neath Port Talbot AQMA, which is associated with emissions from the local steel works.
Wales has its own Environment Agency (Natural Resources Wales) and air quality is managed in subtly different ways compared to the rest of the UK. Wales has its own planning policy and Natural Resources Wales provides technical advice notes (TANs) which instruct how this planning policy should be interpreted. The latest TAN on Air Quality and Soundscape, which is currently under consultation, would encourage local authorities to declare their own air quality targets, even in areas where national standards are met to help improve health outcomes.
When do you need an air quality assessment in Wales?
Air quality assessments in Wales are required to ensure that proposals do not significantly impact neighbours during construction (e.g., from the release of dusts and odorous gases from construction and demolition), during operation (due to the release of emissions from central heating systems, or from associated road vehicles) and to make sure the design is sensitive to existing areas of poor air quality.
Air quality impact assessments are generally required in Wales if a proposal includes more than 10 houses, includes more than 1000m2 of commercial floorspace, or introduces highly sensitive uses next to a main road, or other pollution source.
When might you need an odour assessment in Wales?
Local authorities also often require that for any new kitchen extract system (e.g. for an application for a restaurant, or takeaway), that the planning application (e.g. change of use) provides evidence that the new kitchen extract system is designed to minimise the potential for any odour impacts.
Development in Wales sometimes occurs on greenbelt land, on the edge of towns and villages. This can put proposed development at risk from odorous emissions from wastewater treatment works (WwTW) and intensive agriculture operations. Welsh Water and other utilities companies often have specific odour assessment requirements to ensure that development does not influence its operation.
How Greenavon can help?
Greenavon have developed close working relationships with several local authority officers across Wales. We routinely consult with local authority officers to discuss a project and, where possible, agree the assessment 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 condition.
Greenavon Air Quality Consultants 