4.1 Introduction Review of Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes Baseline Information...6

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3 Foreword This topic paper forms part of the evidence base supporting the Wiltshire Council Sustainability Appraisal (SA)/ Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report. An overview of the SA/SEA process can be found within the main report. Detailed information for each of the SA/SEA stages have been separated into topic papers for a series of environmental and sustainability themes. This has been done to assist the reader access information for selected themes without the need to read the entire volume of information. The topics selected for inclusion within the Wiltshire Council Scoping Report are listed below and are all available as individual topic papers. 1. Biodiversity 2. Land and Soil Resources 3. Water Resources and Flood Risk Climatic Factors 6. Historic Environment 7. Landscapes 8. Population and Housing 9. Healthy Communities 10. Inclusive Communities 11. Education and Skills 12. Transport 13. Economy and Enterprise

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5 Contents 4.1 Introduction Review of Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes Baseline Information Key Environmental and Sustainability Issues Sustainability Appraisal Framework...12 a) Proposed Environmental and Sustainability Appraisal Objective (s)...12 b) Proposed Decision Aiding Questions...12 c) Potential Environmental and Sustainability Indicators Cross Cutting Matters...13

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7 4.1 Introduction Air quality relates to the particle pollution of our air from industry and travel. However, this paper also addresses other environmental pollution, including matters such as noise, light and contaminated land. 4.2 Review of Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes (Task A1) One of the requirements of the SA process is to take account of any other policies, plans and programmes which may be relevant to the planning document under consideration. Table 4.1, below, lists the documents that have been reviewed in relation to air quality and environmental pollution. It is important to note that the review is in no way an exhaustive list and does not attempt to identify in detail the content of every plan or programme. Following Table 4.1 a brief summary is given of each document, together with any relevant objectives/requirements and how these might be considered within the planning document. Table 4.1: List of Documents Reviewed for the EC Council Directive 2002/49/EC Environmental Noise (2002) EC Council Directive 96/62/EC Ambient Air Quality (1996) Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland (2007) PPG24 Planning and Noise (1994) PPS23 Planning and Pollution Control (2004) An Air Quality Strategy for Wiltshire (2006) Salisbury Air Quality Action Plan (2006) West Wiltshire District Council Air Quality Action Plan (2005) Plan/Programme 2002/49/EC Environmental Noise Directive Level European Document date 2002 Summary of document This Directive requires competent authorities in Member States to produce strategic noise maps on the basis of harmonised indicators, to inform the public about noise exposure and its effects, and to draw up action plans to address noise issues. Key objectives and/or requirements The main objectives include: Monitoring the environmental problem - competent authorities are to draw up "strategic noise maps"; Informing and consulting the public about noise exposure, its effects, and the measures considered to address noise. How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF The LDF must comply with noise action plans, to make sure that new development and associated activities does not exacerbate existing noise issues. Plan objectives and policies should seek to reduce the impact of environmental noise and maintain areas of low noise level, especially within natural open space environments and residential areas. LPAs should have regard to PPG 24 when developing policies, particularly policies regarding new residential developments, employment sites and proposed traffic schemes. 1

8 Plan/Programme Level 1996/62/EC Ambient Air Quality Directive European Document date 1996 Summary of document This Directive covers the revision of previously existing legislation and the introduction of new air quality standards for previously unregulated air pollutants. The list of atmospheric pollutants to be considered includes sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, lead and ozone pollutants governed by already existing ambient air quality objectives. Key objectives and/or requirements The main requirement is for the assessment of outdoor air quality. Target thresholds are set to alert a local authority to when air quality issues may arise. The Directive sets mandatory standards for air quality and sets limits and guides values for sulphur and nitrogen dioxide, suspended particulates and lead in air. How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF The directive states the necessity to meet air quality targets and cites the management of traffic as a major source. The LPA must consider potential impacts on air quality in its DPDs. Policies should ensure that new developments minimise traffic growth and should encourage development in areas of good public transport provision and provide incentives for the use of sustainable transport modes. Consideration should be given to monitoring air quality in and around the Swindon Central Area. Plan/Programme Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland Level National Document date 2007 Summary of document Strategy sets out air quality objectives and policy options to further improve air quality in the UK from today into the long term. As well as direct benefits to public health, these options are intended to provide important benefits to quality of life and help to protect our environment. Key objectives and/or requirements Overview and outline of the UK Government ambient (outdoor) air quality policy. The strategy addresses; planning on air quality issues; details objectives to be achieved; and proposes measures to be considered further to help reach them. Standards are the benchmarks for setting objectives. The strategy acts as framework for the UK the to produce objectives to reduce emissions of various pollutants to acceptable EU standards. In setting objectives derived from the health and ecosystem advice, the UK Government has also taken account of economic efficiency, practicability, technical feasibility and timescale. The long-term goal of the strategy is ultimately to remove all critical levels and loads exceedences. 2

9 How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF DPDs will take into account the requirements set out in the strategy to meet acceptable standards of pollutant emissions as directed by the EU. Plan/Programme Level Document date 1994 PPG 24: Planning and Noise National (DCLG) Summary of document This gives guidance on the use of planning powers to minimise the adverse impact of noise by outlining the considerations to be taken into account in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities that will generate noise. It introduces the concept of noise exposure categories for residential development and recommends appropriate levels for exposure to different sources of noise, and advises on the use of conditions to minimise the impact of noise. Key objectives and/or requirements There are requirements to separate noise generating and noise sensitive land-uses. Planning permission can be granted to noise generating developments if situated in appropriate locations and there are opportunities to promote high quality designs that will mitigate against noisy land uses. The guidance recognises that it may not be possible to achieve separation of noise sensitive land uses, and recommends that development plan policies consider whether it is practical to control or reduce noise levels, or to mitigate the impact of noise, through the use of conditions or planning obligations. How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF Plans should seek to take account of the impact noise can have on amenity values especially in residential areas, and to managing potential conflicts. Plan/Programme Level Document date 2004 PPS 23: Planning and Pollution Control National (DCLG) Summary of document This PPS advises that any consideration of the quality of land, air or water and potential impacts arising from development is capable of being a material planning consideration, in so far as it arises or may arise from or may affect any land use. The planning system plays a key role in determining the location of development which may give rise to pollution, either directly or indirectly, and in ensuring that other uses and developments are not, as far as possible, affected by major existing or potential sources of pollution. Key objectives and/or requirements The planning system needs to implement effective pollution control and provides an opportunity to identify developments or land use that may give rise to pollution and ensue that other uses are not affected by existing or potential sources of pollution. The PPS states that the presence of contamination in land can present risks to human health and the environment, which adversely affect or restrict the beneficial use of land but development presents an opportunity to deal with these risks successfully. 3

10 How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF The LDF will need to provide a level of pollution control that reflects the concentrations of land in the borough affected by contamination. This statement suggests that the LDF should contain a set of criteria against which applications for potentially polluting development can be considered including the cumulative effect of polluting development. Plan/Programme An Air Quality Strategy for Wiltshire 2006 Level Local Document date 2006 Summary of document Provides annual data for air quality measurements across Wiltshire and sets out an air quality strategy for the County. Key objectives and/or requirements take account of air quality considerations in preparing LDDs and in decision making on planning applications continue with AQM duties in accordance with the guidance provided by DEFRA develop criteria to trigger the need for an air quality assessment How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF The DPD and SA/SEA processes should seek to promote development which is consistent with existing air pollution strategies for Wiltshire. Plan/Programme Salisbury Air Quality Action Plan Level Local Document date 2006 Summary of document The Air Quality Action Plan for the following AQMAs: Fisherton Street AQMA Brown Street AQMA Milford Street AQMA Minster Street AQMA. All of which are in Salisbury city centre. Key objectives and/or requirements To improve air quality in the four AQMAs. It must also detail and consider the options available To reduce the annual mean Nitrogen Dioxide levels within these four areas. How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF Ensure steps to improve air quality are incorporated within developments. 4

11 Plan/Programme West Wiltshire District Council Air Quality Action Plan Level Local Document date 2005 Summary of document Identifies the 2 Air Quality Management Areas in the District and the principal cause of air pollution there as being road traffic Key objectives and/or requirements Implement a package of measures focused on transport, requiring input from businesses, the public and the highway authority promote cleaner fuels reduce traffic levels and manage the road network promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport How objectives and/or requirements might be considered in the LDF The DPD and SA/SEA processes should seek to promote development which is consistent with existing air pollution strategies for Wiltshire The key considerations and objectives identified in relation to the air quality and environmental pollution topic are summarised below: Key considerations and objectives from document review (Task A1) Establish objectives for ambient air quality designed to avoid, prevent or reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment as a whole (EC, 1996). Any consideration of the quality of land, air or water and potential impacts arising from development, possibly leading to impacts on health, is capable of being a material planning consideration (ODPM, 2004). The presence of contamination in land can present risks to human health and the environment, which adversely affect or restrict the beneficial use of land. However, development presents an opportunity to deal with these risks successfully (ODPM, 2004). Contamination is not restricted to land with previous industrial uses, it can occur on greenfield as well as previously developed land and it can arise from natural sources as well as from human activities (ODPM, 2004). Local planning authorities must ensure that development does not cause an unacceptable degree of noise disturbance and should consider carefully whether proposals for new noisesensitive development would be incompatible with existing activities (ODPM, 1994). Take account of air quality considerations in preparing development documents and in decision making on planning applications (Wilts CC, 2006). Develop criteria to trigger the need for an air quality assessment (Wilts CC, 2006). 5

12 Summary of Document Review Traffic is seen as a major contributor to air pollution. Policies in the LDF and SA Objectives can be framed to ensure that new developments are located to minimise traffic growth and provide incentives to use other forms of transport. The LDF also has a role in controlling the location of potentially polluting development and potentially noisy development. Plan objectives and policies should seek to reduce the impact of environmental noise and maintain areas of low noise level, especially within natural open space environments and residential areas. 4.3 Baseline Information (Task A2) The collection of baseline information ensures that the SA process is based on a sound evidence base and provides the basis for predicting and monitoring any environmental or sustainability effects that may be identified during the SA stages. It is made clear in the SA guidance that a practical approach to the collection of baseline information is essential as there are opportunities to update the SA work in the future. The planning authority is encouraged to use existing data sources rather than to undertake original research. Air pollution Air pollution can have a serious effect on people s health. Exposure to air pollution can have a long-term effect on health, associated in particular with premature mortality due to cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) effects. Air pollution also has negative impacts on our environment, both in terms of direct effects of pollutants on vegetation, and indirectly through effects on the acid and nutrient status of soils and waters. Table 4.2: Estimated Background Air Pollution Data Indicator Year Kennet North West Salisbury Wilts Wilts Wilts NOX NO PM Benzene ,3- butadine* SO CO Source: Environment Agency, individual local authorities Note: Figures derived by calculating the average of the predictions for all sites in each of the districts 6

13 4.3.3 Air pollution has been improving year on year in Wiltshire across all of the indicators. This data is only available at local levels and thus comparisons are difficult, however with year on year improvements and the rural nature of Wiltshire it can be assumed that performance in these indicators is good There are no automatic air monitoring sites in Wiltshire, the nearest being in Bristol and Bournemouth. These sites report on the number of days air quality is poor comparing both rural and urban areas. The figures for the south west region are illustrated below. The data suggests that air pollution is occurring more frequently in the rural areas compared to the urban areas of the south west Table 4.3: Automatic Air Quality Sites: Number of Days When Air Pollution was Reported as Moderate or Higher in the South West Rural Average Rural Average Urban Average Urban Average days 40 days 21 days 22 days Source: Environment Agency The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Defra, 2007) states that air quality in the UK is better in overall terms than at any time since the industrial revolution. However serious adverse effects can still arise and there are significant benefits to be gained from improving air quality further. Recent research has shown that some pollutants are more dangerous than previously thought and pollutants from sources such as cars, ships and industrial plants lead to levels of pollution which are still having a marked affect on our health and natural environment. The role of local authorities Local authorities have an important role to play in helping deliver the national strategy s air quality objectives and the mandatory European air quality limit values. Action taken at the local level can be an effective way of tackling localised air quality problems, leading to an overall improvement of air quality across the UK The Environment Act 1995 introduced the system of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). Since then, local authorities have had to periodically review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas against national air quality objectives for seven air pollutants. Where any objective is unlikely to be met by the relevant deadline, local authorities must designate those areas as air quality management areas (AQMAs) and take action, along with others, to work towards meeting the objectives LAQM has been carried out in Wiltshire by the four district authorities, but this responsibility will now fall to the new unitary authority for Wiltshire. A brief review of the district authority s most recent LAQM progress reports and assessments is given below: Kennet District The 2007 Progress Report The primary conclusion from the air quality monitoring information is that the air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) will largely be met in the Kennet district. The general trend for annual mean levels of nitrogen dioxide levels across the Kennet district is a stable one. 7

14 Recorded levels of sulphur dioxide are very low and annual mean concentrations for the monitoring of benzene and associated species are low and well below the air quality objective limits for the species The progress report has concluded that there have been no significant changes within the Kennet district likely to impact upon air quality. North Wiltshire Progress Report April This is the most recent progress report from North Wilts. It concludes that ongoing passive diffusion tube and automatic monitoring has produced no exceedences of the air quality objective for NO 2 or PM 10 (an air quality indicator for particulate matter). The report also concludes that no new developments have been identified through the planning regime that would have an adverse impact on air quality There are no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA s) in North Wilts district. West Wiltshire LAQM Progress Report West Wiltshire District Council s Updating and Screening Assessment 2006 and Progress Report 2007 concluded that a Detailed Assessment would not be required for any pollutant West Wiltshire District currently has two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), both declared in November The Bradford on Avon AQMA was declared for exceedences of the annual mean NO 2 objective of 40 micro grams per cubic meter and the 24-hour PM 10 objective of 50 micro grams per cubic meter, not to be exceeded more than 35 times per annum, due to transport sources. The Westbury AQMA was declared for exceedences of the annual mean NO 2 objective of 40 micro grams per cubic meter due to transport sources. Salisbury District In the previous rounds of the air quality Review and Assessment, Salisbury District Council declared five Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) following exceedences of the nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) objective in Salisbury city centre. The Council produced an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) in 2005 that presented proposed measures to improve air quality in the AQMAs In 2007, following a Detailed Assessment of Salisbury city centre, the Council declared two additional AQMAs in London Road and Wilton Road near St Mark s and St Paul s roundabouts, following exceedences of the NO 2 objective in these areas. It was also decided to merge the AQMAs in Salisbury and declare the whole city centre as a single AQMA Regular monitoring within Salisbury has revealed that air quality in the city improved in However, the longer-term objective of cleaner air in the city continues to be a challenge with much of last year's improvement attributed to the generally wet and windy summer Following the declaration of the Wilton Road and London Road AQMAs, and the declaration of the whole city centre as a single AQMA in Salisbury, a new Action Plan is currently being prepared. The revised Action Plan will shortly be sent for consultation before the final document can be released. The plan will present a new series of measures to help tackle traffic congestion and heavy-duty vehicle emissions in Salisbury city centre. 8

15 Table 4.4: Air Quality Management Areas Declared in Wiltshire Areas Declared Kennet North Wilts Salisbury West Wilts Wilts Wiltshire Air Quality Strategy Framework Wiltshire County Council, in collaboration with the four Wiltshire District local authorities of Salisbury, North Wiltshire, West Wiltshire and Kennet initiated the development of an Air Quality Strategy (AQS) Framework in 2006 in response to the need for a coherent and unified way forward in the management of air quality across the County. The Framework is the first attempt to draw together the important issues to improve local air quality A key recommendation resulting from the development of the Framework Strategy is for the development of a full Air Quality Strategy (AQS), which will enable planners, transport planners, environmental protection officers and local government officers of other disciplines to embrace the need to improve air quality. In preparation for the new Wiltshire unitary authority, the Air Quality Officers from each of the five authorities have been meeting on a regular basis to establish a framework for how the unitary authority will undertake local air quality management. Air quality and transport Road transport is a key source of many air pollutants, particularly in urban areas. There are two main trends in the transport sector working in opposite directions: new vehicles are becoming individually cleaner in response to European emission standards legislation, but total vehicle kilometres are increasing. Overall emissions of key air pollutants from road transport have fallen by about 50% over the last decade, despite increases in traffic, and are expected to reduce by a further 25% or so over the next decade. This is mainly a result of progressively tighter vehicle emission and fuel standards agreed at European level and set in UK regulations Traffic management can make a significant contribution to help reduce emissions of pollutants from road vehicles, for example, schemes which restrict or exclude less clean vehicles from certain roads or areas, such as low emission zones, or reduce road congestion. Local Transport Plans are the main mechanisms for implementing transport policies at the local level. One of the key criteria against which these plans are judged for central funding is the extent these take account of air quality considerations. Air quality and planning The planning systems across the UK for land use and transport planning are also an important part of an integrated approach to air quality improvements, particularly regarding new developments and emphasis on accessibility for public transport, park and ride schemes, walking and cycling. These can all help reduce the number of journeys made by car and the emissions to air. 9

16 Air quality and climate change The importance of climate change as an environmental issue of global significance has increased enormously in the past few years. The Stern Report and the Energy White Paper highlighted the importance of the need to reduce global carbon emissions. Local planning policies need to be developed with a consideration of their impact on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, and this is particularly true of air quality. Synergistic policies, beneficial to both air quality and climate change, should be pursued. For example, the energy efficiency of new buildings or reducing the use of private motor vehicles. Noise pollution issues Noise can have a significant effect on the environment and on the quality of life enjoyed by individuals and communities Problems of noise have been the responsibility of the four district authorities in Wiltshire. Planning Policy Guidance 24 (PPG24) guides local authorities in England on the use of their planning powers to minimise the adverse impact of noise. It outlines the considerations to be taken into account in determining planning applications both for noise-sensitive developments and for those activities which generate noise The impact of noise can be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The planning system has the task of guiding development to the most appropriate locations. It will be hard to reconcile some land uses, such as housing, hospitals or schools, with other activities which generate high levels of noise, but the planning system should ensure that, wherever practicable, noise-sensitive developments are separated from major sources of noise (such as road, rail and air transport and certain types of industrial development). It is equally important that new development involving noisy activities should, if possible, be sited away from noise-sensitive land uses Development plans provide the policy framework within which these issues can be weighed but careful assessment of all these factors will also be required when individual applications for development are considered. Where it is not possible to achieve such a separation of land uses, local planning authorities should consider whether it is practicable to control or reduce noise levels, or to mitigate the impact of noise, through the use of conditions or planning obligations Some of the main sources of noise across Wiltshire are likely to include impacts from increasing levels of traffic on roads and various noise generating activities of the Ministry of Defence. Pollution from lighting From the 6th April 2006, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 added a new section to the definition of statutory nuisance contained within the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to include: "Artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance" Some premises, such as airports, railway premises and prisons are excluded as these are premises used for transport purposes and other premises where high levels of light are required for safety and security reasons. There are no set levels of artificial light above which a statutory nuisance is or may be caused, and below which it is not. A range of factors must be taken into 10

17 account such as duration, frequency, impact, the local environment and sensitivity of the plaintiff. Land contamination When substances are introduced into or onto land where they would not normally be, the land could then be considered to be contaminated The term 'land contamination' covers a wide range of situations where land is contaminated in some way. In a small number of these situations where certain criteria are met, a site might be determined 'contaminated land' which has a specific legal definition set out in Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act Throughout Wiltshire there are many sites that have been contaminated by previous use. Often this is associated with industrial processes or activities that have now ceased, but where waste products or remaining residues present a hazard to the general environment. There is also increasing pressure to reuse land which is affected by contamination, rather than develop greenfield sites such as farmland, parks or woodland The duty on local authorities is to periodically inspect the land within their administrative area for evidence of ground contamination that is causing, or has the potential to cause, significant harm to environmental receptors. Potential impacts of climate change In other Topic Papers the discussion has been about how climate change may affect the resource available for example, the effect of climate change on the landscape and listed buildings. In this instance the quality of the air is an influencing agent on climate change. SA Objectives should ensure that planning policies seek to reduce green house gas emissions, such as CO 2, through a co-ordinated approach to the use of land, which in turn can help minimise the need to travel and reduce air pollution from traffic. Summary of Baseline Information Local authorities have an important role to play in helping deliver the national strategy s air quality objectives. Air quality in the county is improving and it is anticipated that continuing improvements can be made though improved traffic management. Data in relation to other forms of environmental pollution is poor but there is a duty on the planning authority to recognise the impact of noise, light pollution and contamination existing or likely to occur as a consequence of new development. 4.4 Key Environmental and Sustainability Issues (Task A3) The third stage in preparing a scoping report is to identify the key environmental and sustainability issues arising from the review of policies, plans and programmes and through the collection of baseline information. These are summarised in Table 4.5 overleaf in relation to air quality and environmental pollution. Some of the issues have been identified as a consequence of document reviews and baseline data gathered for other topics. For example, the depletion of aquifers is identified as an issue in the water resources and flood risks topic but has specific relevance to the biodiversity quality of wetland habitats. Cross cutting themes are addressed in more detail later in this topic paper. 11

18 Table 4.5: Key Environmental and Sustainability Issues for Biodiversity 1 Air quality across the authority is generally good due to its largely rural nature. However, some town centre locations have been designated as AQMAs. 2 Air quality in Wiltshire is likely to be adversely impacted in the future by increasing levels of road traffic, related to wider car ownership, increasing road freight movement and population increase. 3 There are a total of 5 AQMAs in Wiltshire primarily in town centre locations - identified as not meeting air quality targets due to the effects of traffic. LDF policies should ensure that these problems are addressed. 4 There will continue to be noise impacts from an expanding road network and from MoD activities in and around Salisbury Plain. 4.5 Sustainability Appraisal Framework (Task A4) The SA Framework is an important part of the SA process as it is the main tool for testing development plan documents such as the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy. The SA Framework is used to ensure each DPD contributes towards delivering sustainable development and contains objectives against which emerging policies and proposals can be assessed. Objectives should address the full cross section of sustainability issues. To help tease out the potential impacts of a policy and proposal the objective is supported by a number of decision aiding questions to help the person undertaking the appraisal. The selection of objectives and decision aiding questions is informed by the document reviews, existing baseline data and the key sustainability issues identified. The final element of the SA Framework is a list of potential monitoring indicators to judge the effects of a policy or proposal. Set out below are proposed objectives, decision aiding questions and monitoring indicators for the air quality and environmental pollution theme. a) Proposed Sustainability Appraisal objective(s) Improve air quality throughout Wiltshire and reduce and/or mitigate against all sources of environmental pollution. b) Proposed decision-aiding questions Will the policy. Maintain and improve local air quality? Minimise and, where possible, improve on unacceptable levels of noise, light pollution, odour and vibration? Minimise all forms of contamination to soils? Help bring forward the removal of designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)? Mitigate the impacts on air quality from road transport? Discourage or mitigate against uses that generate NO 2 or other particulates? c) Potential indicators to be used in monitoring significant effects Concentrations of selected local air quality indicators. Change in no. of designated AQMAs. % of population living in designated AQMAs. Levels of NO 2 within designated AQMAs. 12

19 % of new residential developments meeting set standards in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) Environmental Health criteria 12 (Noise). 4.6 Cross Cutting Matters Many topics under consideration by the SA process have implications for more than one area. These are referred to as cross cutting matters. It is a requirement of the SA regulations to identify examples of these cross cutting matters for each topic. Examples are outlined below which relate to air quality and environmental pollution. A number of impacts on biodiversity may relate to the quality of soil, air and water. For example, the provision of pollution free habitats is clearly advantageous to biodiversity. Other impacts on biodiversity may include the potential disturbance of habitats via the reclamation of contaminated sites. Any incidences of air quality exceeding prescibed standards may impact on human health and affect quality of life. Many aspects relating to climate change and transportation are interrelated with air quality management. For example, a reduction in car use will reduce climate change impacts and improve air quality. 13