Air Quality Assessments – Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall

Air Quality in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall is generally good, especially away from urban areas; however, there are several towns and cities where pollution levels exceed national Air Quality Standards (AQS) and Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) have been declared. These include the cities of Truro, Exeter and Plymouth.

When do you need an air quality assessment in the Devon, Dorset and Cornwall?

Air quality assessments in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall 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 Devon, Dorset and Cornwall if a proposal is classified as Major. The validation checklists, which are linked below, of each council should be consulted to check local requirements.

Council	Local Advice
Cornwall Council	Chief Planning Officer’s Advice Note: Planning for Air Quality
Dorset Council	Dorset Heathlands Interim Air Quality Strategy
Plymouth City Council	All Air Quality Assessments should indicate the change in air quality resulting from the proposed development and outline appropriate mitigation measures as necessary.
East Devon District Council	No local advice
Exeter City Council	No local advice
Mid Devon District Council	Supplementary Planning Document on Air Quality and Development
North Devon District Council	Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Adopted 5 th October 2020
South Hams District Council	An Air Quality Assessment must be prepared by a suitably qualified expert, in accordance with the latest guidance from the Institute of Air Quality Management available.
Teignbridge District Council	No specific guidance
Torridge District Council	Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
West Devon Borough Council	The Council will expect certain planning applications to be accompanied by an air quality assessment. These assessments should be carried out in accordance with guidance from the Institute of Air Quality Management.

When might you need an odour assessment in Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall?

Many local authorities also require proposals for new kitchen extract systems (e.g. for an application for a restaurant, or takeaway) to provide evidence that the new kitchen extract system is designed to minimise the potential for any odour impacts.

Development in Dorset, Cornwall and Devon 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 facilities.  New intensive agricultural facilities are often required to provide a SCAIL screening assessment.

How Greenavon can help?

Greenavon have developed close working relationships with several local authority officers across the UK. 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.