Mid and West Wales Air Quality: A Guide for Developers

Transcription

1 Mid and West Wales Air Quality: A Guide for Developers This guidance is the result of joint work carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and Powys County Council Public Protection Division September

2 Document Status Log Date Description of amendments Amendments made by 2

3 CONTEXT The production of this guidance has been prepared as a reference document for Developers and their advisers who may be involved in the assessment of air quality associated with developments. It details the type of information required by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in order for them to assess an application for planning permission that may cause an impact on air quality. The guidance is the result of joint work carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and Powys County Council. The guidance will be reviewed annually or as and when necessary. New developments have the potential to impact on air quality. Air quality is a material consideration when assessing an application for planning permission under the planning system. Where appropriate, the application for the development, which will normally be determined by the Local Planning Authority (LPA), should be accompanied by an air quality assessment. This guidance deals principally with the following: those pollutants regulated under the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) regime. PM2.5, which is not covered in this regime is, however, given some attention because of its significant health effects and absence of a safe level for exposure; the impact of traffic emissions; the impact of emissions from biomass boilers; and the assessment and control of dust impacts during construction is also considered, as dusts contribute to airborne particulate matter, as well as to dust soiling. The following are not specifically considered: emissions from industrial sources as they are principally covered by the Environmental Permitting regime; assessments of the air quality impacts of major road schemes which are principally covered by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Volume 11, Section 3, Part 1 (Air Quality); greenhouse gas emissions; and odours as reference should be made to other specific guidance on odour. The spatial planning system, which includes development control and local development planning, has an important role to play in improving air quality and reducing exposure to air pollution. Where a proposed development is likely to give rise to significant air quality impacts on the surrounding area or be impacted upon by existing poor air quality, the planning process requires assessment of the impacts and the introduction of measures to minimise any adverse impacts. National planning policy requires particular attention to be paid to development within or close to areas formally designated as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). In certain circumstances, air quality issues within AQMAs 3

4 may be sufficient for planning permission to be refused, but there is no blanket presumption against development within AQMAs. This guidance aims to provide advice on describing air quality impacts and assessing their significance, specifically: detailing the need for an air quality assessment; what should be included in an assessment; the methods of evaluating air quality assessments; mitigation measures for the construction phase; mitigation for air quality impacts; and planning conditions and obligations (Section 106 agreements). Early dialogue is highly recommended between developers and planners, as well as with pollution officers. Failure to provide adequate supporting information with the planning application may result in significant delays in the planning process or planning permission being refused by the LPA. 4

5 1.0 INTRODUCTION Any new development has the potential to affect air quality. An application for a development will normally be determined by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) and may require an air quality assessment to be submitted. An air quality assessment for a new development will be submitted by, or on behalf of the developer, and is usually prepared by independent consultants. Developers need to have a clear understanding of what should be contained in the air quality assessment and how the assessment will be evaluated as part of the decision-making process. Air quality assessments need to consider the impacts on the surrounding area during both the construction phase and operational phase, as well as considering whether the air quality is suitable for the proposed use of the site. Another consideration within this guidance is on minimising the air quality impacts of developments by good design and appropriate mitigation measures. An important distinction is drawn between the requirements for the preparation of the air quality assessment submitted with the planning application and its subsequent consideration by the planning authority. This guidance follows the principles in the Environmental Protection UK guidance on Development Control: Planning for Air Quality (2010 Update). 2.0 THE PLANNING SYSTEM Planning policy and advice in Wales requires a precautionary approach to be adopted when considering the development. This is particularly important where the end uses being considered are sensitive to air quality, e.g. housing, schools, hospitals and children s play areas. The Welsh Government s Policy and Advice is contained within Planning Policy Wales documents, Technical Advice Note (TAN) and Welsh Office Circulars. In the absence of specific advice for air quality in Wales, further information can be found within Planning Policy Statement 23 Planning and Pollution Control, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The LPA will need to have enough information to be confident that the site can be developed before planning permission is granted. Pre-planning discussions with the LPA is considered good practice and encouraged in order to provide advice to applicants on the minimum requirements for each specific site. Any air quality consideration that relates to land use and its development is capable of being a material planning consideration. The weight which can be given to air quality relative to other material considerations will vary in different circumstances. The guidance suggests that greater weight may need to be given in particularly sensitive environments; relatively less weight may be given where there are over-riding economic or social benefits (Environmental Protection UK, 2010). 5

6 Planning applications for developments inside or adjacent to AQMAs should not necessarily be refused if it would result in a deterioration of local air quality. This approach could sterilise development, particularly where authorities have designated their entire areas as AQMAs. The Local Planning Authority has a duty to ensure development has a beneficial impact on the environment, for example by exploring the possibility of securing mitigation measures that would allow the proposal to proceed. It may be appropriate in some circumstances for the developer to fund mitigation measures elsewhere inside the AQMA to offset any increase in local pollutant emissions as a consequence of the proposed development. These measures could be secured through planning conditions attached to the planning permission, Section 106 Agreements or unilateral undertakings. 3.0 ASSESSING THE NEED FOR AN AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT Air quality assessments may be required to support planning applications and in general this will be where the proposed development is anticipated to give rise to significant changes in air quality. These impacts may occur during both the construction and/or operational phases. Air Quality Assessments may need to be undertaken in the following circumstances: in areas which have been declared as an AQMA; in areas adjacent to a declared AQMA; in areas where concentrations are close to an air quality objective and the proposed development (or other planned developments in the area) could lead to breach of that objective; in areas where air quality is poor enough to breach one or more of the air quality objectives, but which has not been declared an AQMA due to previous lack of exposure; or in areas where the development is likely to give rise to significant changes in air quality (Environmental Protection UK, 2010). As part of the Local Air Quality Management process information on AQMAs should be readily available to the local authority. To determine the need for submission of an Air Quality Assessment Appendix 1 details some of the issues that will be considered by the local authority. This is not an exhaustive list but does give an indication of the type of 'triggers' that may necessitate submission of an Air Quality Assessment. Developers are advised to err on the side of caution whether considering when an air quality assessment is necessary. 6

7 4.0 CONTENT OF AN AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT The main purpose of an air quality assessment is to show the likely changes in air quality or exposure to air pollutants as a result of the proposed development. Ultimately the planning authority will use this information to determine the significance or weight of the air quality impacts when determining the application. The basis of the assessment should be to compare the air quality after completion of the development with the air quality expected at that time without the development. A comparison with existing conditions should also be made. Therefore there are three basic steps in the assessment: (i) (ii) (iii) Assess the existing air quality in and around the proposed development; Predict the future air quality without the development; and Predict the future air quality with the development. An air quality assessment should include the following information: a) Relevant details of the proposed development. b) The policy context for the assessment. c) Description of the relevant air quality standards and objectives. d) The basis for determining significance of impacts. e) Details of the assessment methods. f) Model verification. g) Identification of sensitive locations. h) Description of baseline conditions. i) Assessment of impacts. j) Description of construction phase impacts. k) Mitigation measures. l) Summary of the assessment results. Further details of the above are provided in Appendix 2 and 3; and include checklists to help determine if the reporting requirements have been met at each stage. In addition the Appendices in the Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance (LAQM.TG 2009 see Further Reading Section) sets out useful information on carrying out an Air Quality Assessment. Useful information on the assessment and control of dust from construction sites is available in the Greater London Authority s Best Practice Guidance on the Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition (2006 see Further Reading Section). Assessing the significance of air quality in the context of a planning application is an important part of the overall process. To be able to draw comparisons between the effects of different schemes it is useful to use a consistent approach to describe the impacts including descriptive terminology across all environmental impacts. The Environmental Impact Assessment process requires the magnitude of changes to be set out and taken into account. The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM, 2009 see Further Reading Section) has recommended an approach to defining the magnitude of changes. By defining the change in concentration brought about by the scheme as a percentage of the objective level, Limit Value or Environmental Assessment Level it is 7

8 possible to apply a common approach to assessments of impacts for any pollutant and these are described in Table 1. Appendix 5 details the UK air quality objectives and the EU limit values for the purposes of Local Air Quality Management. Table 1: Generic Basis of Definition of Impact Magnitude for Changes in Ambient Pollutant Concentrations as Percentage of Objective/Limit Value/Environmental Assessment Level (IAQM, 2009) Magnitude of Change Annual Mean Large Increase / decrease >10% Medium Increase / decrease 5-10% Small Increase / decrease 1-5% Imperceptible Increase / decrease <1% The use of 1% as the threshold for an imperceptible change provides consistency with existing screening methods promoted by the Environmental Agency and Natural England (IAQM, 2009). The criteria set out in Table 1 have been developed by IAQM for annual mean PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide. They have also been applied to the number of days above 50 µg/m 3 PM10 (see Appendix 6) because of the importance of the 24-hour mean objective, which is more stringent than the annual mean objective. No descriptors have been developed by the IAQM for the 1-hour mean objective for nitrogen dioxide. IAQM (2009) sets out the method to describe the air quality impacts at specific receptors. This is illustrated in Table 2 when applied to nitrogen dioxide, with the magnitude of change descriptors related to the Objective/Limit Value of 40µg/m 3. The approach set out in Table 2 can also be used for the assessment of annual mean PM10 concentrations where the objective is the same (40 µg/m 3 ). It may be appropriate to use the same proportions of the assessment level (e.g % as being just below, with <75% as well below ) for other pollutants; this, however, will need to be agreed by all parties on a case-by-case basis (EPUK, 2010 see Further Reading Section). An air quality assessment should consider the likely effectiveness of any mitigation or compensating, measures to minimise air quality impacts. In many cases, the quantification of mitigation measures is difficult, and at present is rarely considered. At the very least applicants should explore likely benefits of mitigation in qualitative terms. It is recommended that the scope of the proposed site investigation be agreed with the LPA prior to undertaking the works at all key stages of the process. Similarly, prior to running any models or undertaking monitoring, the key parameters should be agreed with the LPA. Any deviation from the UK recommended approach must be robustly and scientifically justified to the LPA. Note: When commissioning laboratories and reporting on the results of monitoring, any quality assurance and quality control methods should be reported. 8

9 Table 2: Air Quality Impact Descriptors for Changes to Annual Mean Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations at a Receptor (IAQM, 2009) Absolute Concentration in Relation to Objective/Limit Value Above Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (>40 µg/m 3 ) Just Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (36-40 µg/m 3 ) Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (30-36 µg/m 3 ) Well Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (<30 µg/m 3 ) Above Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (>40 µg/m 3 ) Just Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (36-40 µg/m 3 ) Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (30-36 µg/m 3 Well Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (<30 µg/m 3 ) Change in Concentration Small Medium Large Increase with Scheme Slight Adverse Moderate Substantial Adverse Adverse Slight Adverse Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Negligible Slight Adverse Slight Adverse Negligible Negligible Slight Adverse Decrease with Scheme Slight Moderate Beneficial Beneficial Slight Beneficial Negligible Moderate Beneficial Slight Beneficial Substantial Beneficial Moderate Beneficial Slight Beneficial Negligible Negligible Slight Beneficial 9

10 5.0 ASSESSING THE ADEQUECY OF AN AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT When an Air Quality Assessment is received the Local Authority will review the following: whether the assessment report contains all the information required; whether an appropriate assessment has been undertaken; and whether the conclusions are consistent with the assessment results (EPUK, 2010). A checklist has been developed which may assist developers to ensure that various issues have been addressed within the assessment accompanying a planning application. This checklist is detailed in Appendix 3. It should be noted that all criteria may not be necessary for every assessment. 6.0 ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT ON AIR QUALITY An approach to assessing the overall significance of the air quality impacts is also recommended by IAQM (2009). This approach considers the following: the number of properties affected; the number of people exposed to above the objective or limit value; the magnitude of the changes and the descriptions of the impact at the receptors; whether or not there is an exceedence of the objective or limit value is predicted; the extent of the exceedence; whether there is a reduction predicted to below the objective or limit value; and any uncertainties in the methodology. Environmental Protection UK (2010) have produced a step-by-step guide to help determine the importance that should be placed on air quality impacts. This is reproduced in Appendix 7. Impacts of a proposal can be classified as ranging from an overriding consideration through to a low priority consideration (EPUK, 2010). This classification is linked to measures to reduce the impacts and is detailed in Table 3. 10

11 Table 3: Recommendations following the assessment of a significance by the local authority (EPUK, 2010) Impact significance from flow chart Overriding consideration High priority consideration Medium and low priority consideration Recommendation Require mitigation measures to remove overriding impacts. If the impact is still overriding, there should be a strong presumption for a recommendation for refusal on air quality grounds. Ensure that measures to minimise high priority impacts are appropriate in the proposal. Recommend strengthening the measures if appropriate. Consideration may also be given to compensation/offsetting. Depending on the scale of the impacts, taking into account the number of people affected, the absolute levels and the magnitude of the changes, and the suitability of the measures to minimise impacts, it may be appropriate to recommend refusal. It is unlikely that refusal would be recommended, but mitigation measures should be incorporated into the scheme design to ensure that the development conforms to best practice standards, and is air quality neutral as far as is reasonably practicable. 7.0 MITIGATING IMPACTS Mitigation should play a key role in development proposals where an air quality assessment has been required, particularly where it is predicted to give rise to an increase in concentrations. The type of measures proposed to improve air quality will depend on the nature and scale of the impact of the proposed development. Where the proposed development is large and the impact on air quality greater than for a small number of residential properties, then more measures should be considered, such as improvements in public transport and funding for traffic management measures over a wider area. Examples of measures to mitigate against the impacts of developments are provided in Appendix 4a and include both construction phase and operational mitigation measures (EPUK, 2010). Defra and the Low Emissions Strategies Partnership have drafted guidance on using the planning system to reduce emissions and improve air quality (2010). Low emission strategies enable a broad package of measures to be assembled which work together to reduce transport emissions. Appendix 4b provides a selection of typical low emission measures. 11

12 Detailed information on the technical attributes of each option will be required and evaluation criteria will need to be developed for assessing the relative merits of each option. Proposals for combining options should be included where more than one option is required. 8.0 PLANNING OBLIGATIONS Planning obligations or section 106 agreements can be entered into by means of a unilateral undertaking by a developer or by way of an agreement between the developer and a local planning authority. They are designed to tackle the impacts that may arise from a development and can involve controls on activities or the nature of the development. They can also involve a financial contribution, for example to an air quality action plan. Conditions can be attached to a planning permission and can only apply to the application site itself or adjoining land under the applicant s control. The LPA will use conditions and sections 106 agreements to mitigate impacts that are detrimental to air quality wherever possible. Increasingly local authorities are requiring developers to fund Low Emissions Strategies as an innovative combination of planning obligations and agreements. These provide a package of measures to help mitigate the transport impacts of developments aimed at reducing emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, and of carbon dioxide. Guidance on the development of Low Emissions Strategies has been published jointly by the Low Emissions Strategies organisation and Defra (2010). Conditions and/or obligations should be reasonable in relation to both the scale of the development and its impacts. 9.0 SUMMARY Development control is an important tool in the improvement of air quality. The need for closer integration of air quality within planning policy and development control has been apparent since the inception of the LAQM regime, if not before (EPUK, 2010). The LPA need to have sufficient information to be confident that the site can be reasonably developed before planning permission is granted. Pre-planning discussions with the LPA is considered good practice and encouraged in order to provide advice to applicants on the minimum requirements for each site. This guidance aims to provide assistance to developers to clarify the requirements of the LPA. Site specific sensitivities should be taken into account e.g. proximity to residential housing, schools etc. with respect to issues such as dust, odours, traffic, noise. The requirement for waste management licences, environmental permits, discharge consents etc. issued by both the local authority and Environment Agency should also be taken into account at an early stage when deciding how to remediate the site. 12

13 The reporting requirements provided in the checklists in this guidance may prove useful. They represent good practice but are not exhaustive. Depending on site-specific factors, further work and reporting may be required. All reports should be prepared by suitably qualified professionals. The reports should be submitted in hard copy and if possible, a CD-ROM or disk containing complete reports, CAD plans should also be supplied. The reports should be provided to the LPA in a timely manner at each of the key stages of the development, to ensure the regulators have sufficient time to review, consult and finalise an agreed way forward. 13

14 APPENDIX 1 ASSESSING THE NEED FOR AN AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT To determine the requirement for an Air Quality Assessment to be submitted for certain development proposals, the following will be taken into consideration: The physical characteristics or scale of the proposals Significant changes in traffic flows that are predicted to arise Proposals for Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plant or stand alone boilers burning biomass The air quality sensitivity of an area (high sensitivity if concentrations are close to or exceeding objectives) Will the proposal require an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010? Current air quality conditions Location of relevant exposure Applicable Y / N The following criteria may trigger the requirement for an Air Quality Assessment: A likely increase in traffic congestion with an associated increase in start stop driving. Change in traffic volumes namely Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) (+/- 10% outside AQMA or +/- 5% within AQMA) Change in peak traffic flow (+/- 10% outside AQMA or +/- 5% within AQMA) Change in vehicle speed (+/- 10kph for more than 10,000 AADT or 5,000 if narrow and congested) Change in vehicle speed (+/- 10kph for more than 5,000 AADT with narrow and congested streets) Significant change in traffic composition (i.e. increase of HDV's of >200 movements/day) Significant new car parking (100 spaces outside AQMA or 50 spaces within AQMA) Car park turnover i.e. the difference between short-term and long-term parking. Car park type i.e. new coach or lorry park. Significant change in nitrogen deposition on to sensitive habitats Introduction of new exposure close to existing sources of air pollution including: Road traffic Industry Agriculture Proposals include biomass boilers or biomass-fuelled CHP plant. Applicable Y / N 14

15 Centralisation of boiler or CHP plant burning gas or oil within or close to AQMA. Effects of construction activities on nearby sensitive receptors (eg residential/commercial/car parks). Long-term construction site with >200 HGV/day for greater than a year. The list should not be taken as the only criteria but does give an indication of the type of 'triggers' that should be considered for development proposals. 15

16 APPENDIX 2 CONTENT OF AN AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT To determine the impact on air quality from a proposed development an air quality assessment should include the following information: Relevant details of the proposed development. This should include any on-site sources of pollution; an overview of the expected traffic changes; any changes in emissions from the site where applicable; the presence of an AQMA or a proposed AQMA; any other sources that may affect the site; location of any sensitive receptors; and the pollutants and sources to be assessed. The policy context for the assessment. This should include details on the relevant national, regional and local policies. Description of the relevant air quality standards and objectives. This should include comparison with both the UK air quality objectives and the EU limit values. The basis for determining significance of impacts. This should detail the descriptors used to describe any impacts and the basis for determining their significance. Details of the assessment methods. This should include the model used, the local input data and any assumptions made. For traffic assessments to include: traffic data used in the assessment; source of the emission data, with details where non-standard data are used; source of the meteorological data, with a description of how representative they are of the conditions in the vicinity of the proposed development; baseline pollutant concentrations; background pollutant concentrations; choice of baseline year; basis for NOx:NO2 calculations; and other relevant input parameters used, e.g. whether a road has been treated as a canyon. For point source emissions to include: type of plant; source of emissions data and actual emissions assumed; the stack parameters, height, diameter, emission velocity and exit temperature; source of the meteorological data, with a description of how representative they are of the conditions in the vicinity of the proposed development; baseline pollutant concentrations; background pollutant concentrations; choice of baseline year; and basis for deriving NO2 from NOx. Provided? Yes/No/n/a 16

17 Model verification. This should include a comparison of the predicted and measured concentrations; adjustments for any uncertainties and complete details of the verification. Additional details are provided in LAQM.TG (09). Identification of sensitive locations. This should include residential receptors both within and close to the proposed development; any new receptors; any roads significantly affected and any AQMAs. Ecologically sensitive areas should also be identified. Description of baseline conditions. This should describe findings from site visits and/or desktop investigations; and monitoring data including monitoring locations, methods, sampling period, data capture and any adjustments made to the data. Assessment of impacts. This should include the results of modelling both with and without the development. Description of construction phase impacts. These will mainly relate to dust emissions and should consider likely activities including handling of dusty materials and the cutting of stone/concrete; dust tracked onto roadways outside the site; duration; distance over which impacts are likely to occur; estimate of residential and other properties that are at risk of being affected; construction phase traffic if over a long period of time (a year or more); monitoring regime planned; and mitigation measures to be implemented. Mitigation measures. These should cover both the construction and operational stages. Summary of the assessment results. This should include: Impacts during the construction phase of the development (usually on dust soiling and PM10 concentrations); impacts during operation (usually on concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, PM10 and PM2.5); any exceedences of the air quality objectives or EU air quality limit values arising as a result of the development, or any worsening of a current breach (including the geographical extent); whether the development will compromise or render inoperative the measures within an Air Quality Action Plan, where the development affects an AQMA; the significance of the impacts identified; and any apparent conflicts with planning policy. The above is based on guidance produced by Environmental Protection UK (2010 Update). 17

18 APPENDIX 3 AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST FOR DEVELOPERS Modelling Procedures Has an appropriate model been used? Has the model been appropriately verified? Are the modelling scenarios and projections appropriate? Have suitable on and off-site receptors been selected, including 'worse case'? Model input data: Adequate and reasonable traffic & emissions data? Appropriate meteorological data? Background concentrations? NOx:NO2 relationship? Other relevant input data? Monitoring Data Adequacy of baseline information: Have monitoring locations been described? Has relevant exposure been considered? Duration of monitoring period eg. If over 6 months? Adequate QA/QC information: Have Bias adjustment figures been used and quoted for NO2 tubes? Has other QA/QC information been included? Presentation and Assessment of Results Are appropriate pollutants and/or objectives considered? Have the correct units been used? Are predicted concentrations and changes in concentrations reasonable? Have changes in concentrations been adequately described? Are impacts assessed relative to AQO's and EU limit values? Have the significance of impacts been described? Have impacts on neighbouring LA's been considered? (If deemed necessary) Other Information Description of other potential impacts: Have other pollutant sources been evaluated? Have changes in traffic volumes, speed, composition been assessed? Construction phase impacts: Has the likely duration and range of activities been described? Have possible impacts such as noise and dust been addressed? Have sensitive receptors been identified and described? Have mitigation measures been described and proposed? Provided? Yes/No/n/a Provided? Yes/No/n/a Provided? Yes/No/n/a Provided? Yes/No/n/a 18

19 AQMA/AQAP: Will the development impact on or alter an existing AQMA? Will the development impact on implementation of any Action Plans? Will the development contribute significantly to a likely future AQMA? 19

20 APPENDIX 4a SUGGESTED AIR QUALITY MITIGATION MEASURES Construction Phase Measures General Agree a 'Code for Construction Practice' with LPA prior to work commencing Ensure any crushers brought to site are Permitted Set up audit trail for any imported/exported soils and aggregates Control of Dust Building enclosures, use of screens, sheeted vehicles Early implementation of hard surfaced haul routes Hard standing cleaning regime Water spraying / wheel washing Stockpile location, stone cutting activity, storage areas, diversion routes when necessary Prohibit fires on site Just in time deliveries Monitoring Strategies Site boundary monitoring - pre and post development Liaison meetings with local residents Considerate contractor scheme Construction Plant Emissions Age & type of plant Plant maintenance Alternative fuel use Operational Phase Measures Transport Related Measures Travel Plans Car clubs Incentives for increased use of public transport Parking standards Preferential parking for low emission/car club vehicles Provision of alternative fuels Public transport fleet improvements Service vehicles Contribution to specific traffic management/road schemes Non-Transport Related Measures Monitoring programme (development specific) Ventilation Contribution to action plan and monitoring programmes Buffer zone Building Design Remove or relocate balconies Location of habitable rooms Avoid canyon streets or creating canyons Proposed? Proposed? 20

21 APPENDIX 4b SUGGESTED LOW EMISSION STRATEGIES MITIGATION MEASURES (DEFRA, 2010) Measure On-site parking Low emission infrastructure Fleet emission improvement Emission based differential tolling Innovative ideas Procurement & Supply chains Comments and examples Graduated price parking permit schemes (e.g. graduation based on VED emission bands/ Euro Standards) Residential parking space set aside (e.g. for car clubs and/or low emission vehicles) Customer parking allocation for low emission vehicles (e.g. supermarkets) Public transport fleet improvements (e.g. technology demonstration, fleet scale trials). Bus/minibus, guided bus, ultra-light rail, light rail vehicles Public service vehicles (e.g. waste services) Provision of electric charging bays or low emission fuelling points Car clubs development and promotion (incl. provision of low emission vehicles or electric charging bays) Bike/e-bike rental schemes Enabling measures (e.g. waste segregation to support Anaerobic Digestion) Fleet improvement agreements Fleet transport emission strategies (e.g. towards deployment of gas/bio-methane, hybrid and electric vehicles) Toll rates based upon emission performance of vehicles (e.g. tunnels and bridges) Creative and opportunistic measures. For example: Low emission travel incentives via store loyalty card Local ESCO addressing transport issues Inter-authority partnership (e.g. rural-urban anaerobic digestion green gas/green electricity initiative) Forward commitment procurement Use of (aggregated) procurement potential to help 21

22 accelerate market entry for low emission technologies Low emission procurement strategies 22

23 APPENDIX 5 AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES Air Quality Objectives included in Regulations for the purpose of Local Air Quality Management in Wales Pollutant Concentration Measured as Date to be achieved by Benzene µg/m 3 Running annual mean 5 µg/m 3 Running annual mean ,3-Butadiene 2.25 µg/m 3 Running annual mean Carbon monoxide 10 mg/m 3 Running 8-hour mean Lead Nitrogen dioxide 0.5 µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3 Annual mean µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year 1-hour mean µg/m 3 Annual mean Particles (PM 10 ) (gravimetric) 50 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 24-hour mean µg/m 3 Annual mean Sulphur dioxide 350 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year 125 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year 266 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 1-hour mean hour mean minute mean

24 EU Air Quality Limit Values Pollutant Concentration Measured as Date to be achieved by Benzene 5 µg/m 3 Annual mean Carbon monoxide 10 mg/m 3 Maximum Running 8-hour mean Lead 0.5 µg/m 3 Annual mean Nitrogen dioxide 200 µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 18 times a year 1-hour mean µg/m 3 Annual mean Ozone 120 µg/m 3 not to be exceeded more than 25 times a year Maximum Running 8-hour mean Particles (PM 10 ) (gravimetric) 50 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 24-hour mean µg/m 3 Annual mean Sulphur dioxide 350 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 24 times a year 125 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 3 times a year 20 µg/m 3, not to be exceeded more than 35 times a year 1-hour mean hour mean Annual mean

25 APPENDIX 6 DESCRIBING THE IMPACT MAGNITUDE AND IMPACT DESCRIPTORS FOR SPECIFIC AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES Definition of Impact Magnitude for Changes in Annual Mean NO2 and PM10 Concentrations (EPUK, 2010) Magnitude of Change Annual Mean Large Increase / decrease >4 µg/m 3 Medium Increase / decrease 2-4 µg/m 3 Small Increase / decrease µg/m 3 Imperceptible Increase / decrease <0.4 µg/m 3 Definition of Impact Magnitude for Changes in Number of Days with PM10 Concentrations Greater than 50 µg/m 3 (EPUK, 2010) Magnitude of Change Number of days above 50 µg/m 3 Large Increase / decrease >4 days Medium Increase / decrease 2-4 days Small Increase / decrease 1-2 days Imperceptible Increase / decrease <1 day 25

26 Air Quality Impact Descriptors for Changes to Number of Days with PM10 Concentration Greater than 50 µg/m 3 at a Receptor (EPUK, 2010) Absolute Concentration in Relation to Objective/Limit Value Above Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (>35 days) Just Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (32-35 days) Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (26-32 days) Well Below Objective/Limit Value With Scheme (<26 days) Above Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (>35 days) Just Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (32-35 days) Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (26-32 days) Well Below Objective/Limit Value Without Scheme (<26 days) Change in Number of Days Small Medium Large Increase with Scheme Slight Adverse Moderate Substantial Adverse Adverse Slight Adverse Moderate Adverse Moderate Adverse Negligible Slight Adverse Slight Adverse Negligible Negligible Slight Adverse Decrease with Scheme Slight Moderate Beneficial Beneficial Slight Beneficial Negligible Moderate Beneficial Slight Beneficial Substantial Beneficial Moderate Beneficial Slight Beneficial Negligible Negligible Slight Beneficial 26

27 APPENDIX 7 STEPS FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY TO ASSESS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AIR QUALITY IMPACTS OF A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL (taken from Environmental Protection UK (2010 Update)) 27

28 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What will happen if I do not submit an air quality assessment as required with my planning application? Your planning application may be delayed or refused on the grounds of insufficient information. The LPA must be satisfied that issues related to air quality can be satisfactorily addressed. What is a planning condition and when is it issued? A planning condition is a requirement contained in a planning permission. Planning conditions control a wide variety of matters when a proposed development has a planning or environmental impact. When air pollution risks are known and viable mediation options established before the LPA grant planning permission, conditions may be used to require further mediation measures. Who should carry out the air quality assessment? The person or organisation carrying out the work must have the experience, qualifications and skills to do so and must meet the following criteria: they should be a competent person they should belong to an accredited body or be able to demonstrate that they operate within a quality assurance system they must use an MCERTS accredited (where possible) and quality assured laboratory to analyse samples and prepare conclusive reports they must be aware of current legislative requirements including health and safety and the relevant guidance they must be able to carry out the assessments and produce clear reports on the findings they must have, and maintain appropriate, professional indemnity insurance. Who else should be consulted? The LPA and the developer may consult the Environment Agency when development is proposed. The Environment Agency may provide advice if a licence, consent, permit or authorisation is required for a regime that the Environment Agency regulates, e.g. environmental permit, abstraction licence. The Environment Agency has other areas of interest when development is proposed, e.g water resources, waste management and flood risk management, which are not addressed here. It may also be appropriate for the planning authority and developer to consult with the Countryside Council for Wales. 28

29 Further Reading This is a basic list for the reader s interest. Published Guidance Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Environment Agency (January 2010) Low Emissions Strategies using the planning system to reduce transport emissions Good Practice Guide. Environmental Protection UK (2010 Update) Development Control: Planning for Air Quality. Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (February 2009) Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance LAQM.TG (09). Greater London Authority (2006) The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition Best Practice Guidance. Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) (November 2009) Position on the Description of Air Quality Impacts and Assessment of their Significance. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2004) Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control. Websites These websites contain many useful references: British Standards Online at Welsh Government website at Welsh Air Quality Forum DEFRA website at Environment Agency website at 29