Build Comply
Air Quality Assessment
Air Quality Assessments
From a Desktop Review to On-site Air Quality and Dust Monitoring.
Are you looking for an Air Quality Assessment?
An Air Quality Assessment or Air Quality Impact Assessment is an important condition of planning for the evaluation of a potential risk to the local environment of reduced air quality.
Air Quality requirements from the Local Authority can relate both to the impact to the local environment of the development once completed and the impact of the construction process to air quality. Air Quality Impact Assessment during construction identifies air quality risks from on-site activities and recommends mitigation measures for inclusion in the Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).
Air Quality Monitoring and Mitigation
The combination of poor air quality in urban areas and the increase in demand for housing areas has led to an increase in the development of sites within poor air quality areas. The considerations for local planners reviewing the air quality in an urban area and housing requirements are multifaceted, requiring identification of air quality for the new residents of the development and recognising the impact of the construction phase on the existing local environment residents.
Air Quality Impact Assessment is often requested by an Environmental Health Officer or Local Planning Officer as part of the assessment procedure of planning submission where air quality is likely to be impacted. Air Quality is a prominent consideration when a development is located within Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).
Air Quality Assessments have one or both of the following elements:
– Site Suitability to determine suitability for residential development due to the proximity to major sources of pollutant emissions or being located within an existing AQMA.
– Impact Assessment to determine whether approval will result in a deterioration of local air quality because of increases in traffic movements.
Using analytical assessments and defined methodologies, Air Quality Assessments identify whether there is a risk of impact to the local environment and provide mitigation where necessary to protect residents and businesses.
Air Quality Specialist Services
We offer a comprehensive suite of air quality assessment services to support planning applications, regulatory compliance, and environmental management. Explore our key services below:
Desktop Screening Assessment
A rapid, cost-effective initial review of air quality constraints using existing data and mapping tools. Ideal for early-stage planning to identify potential air quality risks and determine if further assessment is needed.
Project-Level Habitat Regulation Air Quality Assessments
Specialist assessments to evaluate the impact of air emissions on sensitive ecological sites (e.g., SACs, SPAs, Ramsar sites). Required under the Habitats Regulations for projects near designated conservation areas.
Real-Time Monitoring of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 & PM10)
Continuous, high-resolution monitoring of fine and coarse particulate matter using advanced sensors. Enables real-time data collection for compliance, health risk analysis, and construction site management.
Diffusion Tube Studies
Cost-effective, long-term monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations. Widely used for baseline air quality assessments and to support planning applications or Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) requirements.
Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP)
Comprehensive plans outlining how air quality (and other environmental factors) will be managed during construction. Includes mitigation strategies, monitoring protocols, and compliance with planning conditions.
Air Quality Dust Risk Assessment (AQDRA)
Required for construction projects to assess the risk of dust emissions. Identifies potential impacts on nearby receptors and recommends mitigation measures in line with IAQM guidance.