Detailed Air Quality Assessment of Brownfield Redevelopment near Air Quality Management Area

Air Quality

This project involved an assessment of air quality surrounding a small site in Hertfordshire at full planning application stage to discharge planning conditions placed upon the development. The impact of this project on local air quality has vastly decreased through both the construction and operational phases following the adoption of low emission design and dust mitigation measures.

Project: Brownfield site within a primarily residential area to be redeveloped into housing with off-street parking spaces and garden areas.

Nature of site: The site is a small area of land within a suburb on the edge of a town centre in Hertfordshire, previously utilised as garages for nearby residential properties. Sensitive receptors surround the site, and the site’s close proximity to an Air Quality Management Area meant we needed to pay particular attention to ensure no worsening of nearby air quality occurred following completion of the project.

Scope: A Detailed Air Quality Assessment was undertaken comprising dispersion modelling of pollutant concentrations at specific sensitive locations nearby the development site, along with assessment of dust during demolition of the garages and construction of the new properties. Negligible impacts were identified through the construction and operational phases, and dust mitigation and low emission design measures were encouraged for inclusion into the development.

Client: Project Manager & Chartered Surveyor

Duration of works: 5 weeks

Value: £2500