Air Quality Assessments – Warwick

There are Air Quality Management Areas in Warwick District, including those in Leamington Spa and Warwick Town. Many of the historic towns in Warwick were built before cars existed and have narrow streets designed for horses and carriages. In these environments pollution from cars can struggle to disperse resulting in several pollution hotspots in historic towns.

When do you need an air quality assessment in Warwick?

Air quality assessments in Warwick 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 Warwick 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. Major development in Warwick are also required to provide a ‘damage cost’ calculation, which determines the amount a developer should be spending on air quality mitigation. In some cases, a developer would be required to provide a financial contribution if insufficient mitigation is provided on-site. However, all new residential and commercial development must produce an air quality mitigation statement in line with WDC’s Air Quality supplementary planning document.

The scope of assessment is dependent on whether the scheme is classified as Minor, Medium of Major, and where the scheme is located. Minor development are only required to undertake an ‘exposure assessment’ and commit to the provision of electric vehicle charge points; however, Major development must undertake a detailed air quality assessment. Whilst a planner or architect may be able to provide the necessary information to support a minor application, you will require an air quality consultant to support with Major (and likely) Medium sized development.

As air quality across most of Warwick District is good, the aim of the WDC’s Air Quality SPD is to prevent an incremental creep in air pollution, caused by successive development, and to ensure that the design of proposals in air pollution hotspots are suitable.

When might you need a dust risk assessment in Warwick?

Warwick District Council requires development to provide construction environmental management plan (CEMPs), where the construction phase may have an adverse impact on neighbouring uses. Warwick has adopted a construction management plan template, which provides guidance on the measures which should be taken to minimise the effect of the construction phase on neighbouring uses. These recommendations also include guidance on how dust can be controlled, monitored and managed. The template outlines that in some cases, a construction risk assessment should be provided to support the wider CEMP.

When might you need an odour assessment in Warwick?

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 Warwick District 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).

How Greenavon can help?

Greenavon have developed a strong working relationship with WDC’s air quality officer. 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.

For minor development, we can provide a short technical note outlining the air quality impacts of the proposed development, and the results of the exposure assessment. For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to get in contact or fill in the form below.