Local Air Quality Management

Transcription

1 Local Air Quality Management Options for an Air Quality Management Area, Calne September

2 Wiltshire Council report log Status Author / Checked by Date Draft options report Pete Nobes/Rachel Kent September 2012 Final draft Final draft issued for consultation Doc reference no: WC/AQMA12/2 To discuss the content of this document or for further information please contact either: Rachel Kent, Environmental Health Officer, Environmental Control & Protection Team, Wiltshire Council, Kennet House, Sergeant Rogers Way, Hopton Park Industrial Estate, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2ET. Tel: rachel.kent@wiltshire.gov.uk Gary Tomsett, Team Manager Environmental Control & Protection Team, Wiltshire Council, Bourne Hill Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP1 3UZ. Telephone gary.tomsett@wiltshire.gov.uk Peter Nobes, Senior Public Protection Officer, Environmental Control & Protection Team, Wiltshire Council, Kennet House, Sergeant Rogers Way, Hopton Park Industrial Estate, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2ET. Tel: peter.nobes@wiltshire.gov.uk 2

3 Options for an Air Quality Management Area in Calne (September 2012) Air quality in Wiltshire is predominantly good with the majority of the County having clean unpolluted air. There are however a small number of locations where the combination of traffic, road layout and geography has resulted in exceedences of the annual average for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). It is recognised that improving air quality in these specific locations is difficult due to the increased use and reliance on private motor vehicles. Wiltshire s Air Quality Strategy recognises that no one single agency, department or community has all the answers; improvements to air quality can only be achieved by taking an integrated, collaborative approach. It acknowledges that economic growth and improving the local environment are not mutually exclusive. Wiltshire Councils Local Transport Plan has many shared strategic links with improving air quality and supports sustainable transport alternatives and school travel planning which are important elements to addressing the peak traffic issues experienced in our market towns. The relatively few locations where Wiltshire may fail to meet the national standards have to be investigated and sampled in order to determine the true extent of the problem. If significant pollution is identified the council has to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and put plans in place to seek to improve the air quality. The Detailed Assessment of the Air Quality in Calne, published in June 2012 by Wiltshire Council concluded that the UK national Air Quality Objective (AQO) for the annual mean concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) of 40µg/m 3 is likely to be exceeded at 2 areas in the town. Consequently the local authority has a duty to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) which will need to cover at least the predicted area of exceedence in the town. These are identified as being in Curzon Street/Wood Street and New Road, Calne. While the air quality problems in the zones of exceedence are known and monitoring is established, there is concern regarding levels of nitrogen dioxide in other areas of the town. As the boundary of an AQMA does not have to mirror exactly the boundaries of the zone of exceedence it is proposed to suggest two alternatives for the AQMA within Calne and to consult with relevant parties as to the most suitable option for the town. The final recommendation of the boundary of the AQMA is to be made at the Calne Area Board, designated as the local decision making body for Wiltshire Council. The proposed options are set out within this consultation document; 3

4 Option 1 Calne Area of Exceedence AQMA indicated in red This AQMA would include the areas of exceedence in Curzon Street and New Road. The advantage of this option is that it is known that the air quality will be close to exceeding or exceeding the Air Quality Standards for NO 2 throughout the zone. It covers the key zones of the main roads in the town and so would require any development likely to impact upon the level of traffic on these roads to consider the impact upon the air quality in the area as a material planning consideration. The disadvantage is that further monitoring in Calne is ongoing and it may be that the AQMA will need to be further expanded in the future which will involve significant extra work and introduce further time delays. Advantages This option will mirror the area of exceedence most accurately Air Quality Action Planning will cover an area wider than the actual exceedences The supplementary planning document currently being produced will ensure planning applications have to consider air quality implications and mitigation measures Disadvantages May result in hot spot chasing if further areas are found to fail the objective levels. If an AQMA has to be extended the Council will have to go through the formal process of producing Detailed Assessments, Consultation on new AQMA boundaries and Further Assessment Reports (approx 3 year process) 4

5 Option 2 Calne Main Road AQMA indicated in green Option 2 for an AQMA is set out as a green boundary. This proposal extends the AQMA boundary to include the main roads servicing the town from the Chippenham side of town and up the A3102. Advantages All areas of exceedence covered, unlikely to have to extend area further Air Quality Action Planning will cover an area wider than the actual exceedences The supplementary planning document currently being produced will ensure planning applications have to consider air quality implications and mitigation measures Disadvantages This larger area may detract from actual areas of exceedence. This could potentially be challenged as disproportionately large when compared to the area of exceedence. Procedure following the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area Once a new AQMA has been declared the Local Authority is required to complete a Further Assessment of the Air Quality within 12 months of designating the AQMA. 5

6 This is intended to supplement the information provided in the Detailed Assessment and it is aimed at confirming the exceedence of the objectives; to define what improvement in air quality, and corresponding reduction in emissions is required to attain the objectives; and provide information on source contributions. The latter will provide useful information for the development of the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), and assist in the targeting of appropriate measures. The AQAP will essentially set out how the local authority will use its powers and also work in conjunction with other organisations in pursuit of the Air Quality Objectives. The AQAP has to be produced within 18 months of the declaration of an AQMA. It should also be noted that following the declaration of an AQMA, the impact upon the Air Quality of any development proposed within or adjacent to the area will need to be assessed as a material planning consideration. Development will not automatically be prevented but should an adverse impact upon the air quality be identified then it would need to be taken into account and if necessary remediation measures proposed to counter any likely degeneration in the air quality. Comments Please contact the Environmental Protection Team with any comments you have regarding the proposed options for an Air Quality Management Area within Calne. Our details are set out at the start of this document. 6