Local Requirements - Exposure Assessment

Types of application or development that require this information

The following developments classified as "minor", "medium" and "major" in the WYLES planning guidance (PDF):

  • Proposals that would introduce new relevant receptor points* into existing Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA(s)) and/or Clean Air Zone(s) (CAZ).
  • Proposals that would introduce new relevant exposure* into other areas of existing poor air quality (areas currently approaching or in exceedance of EU limit values or national air quality objectives but which haven’t yet been declared as an AQMA or CAZ).
  • Proposals for relevant locations within 20m of roads with >10,000 AADT where there is currently no relevant air quality monitoring or modelling data available.
  • Proposals for relevant locations within 250m of existing point source emissions where there is potential for the process emissions to impact on new relevant receptor points* for example applications for new relevant receptors in the vicinity of biomass boilers, Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR), Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and any other installations that involve combustion or other activity likely to give rise to significant quantities of NOx and/or particulate matter for example crematoria, pyrolysis plants etc.
  • Proposals for relevant locations within 400m of processes that are likely to give rise to significant fugitive emissions of particulate matter for example quarrying, stone preparation, large scale earth movement /excavation etc.

*Relevant receptors are defined in the Defra guidance note LAQM TG 16 (Defra technical air quality guidance notes) and include residential developments, medical or health services, nurseries and crèches, education and training, houses in multiple occupation and some outdoor public areas for example outdoor cafes, sports grounds etc.  Offices and other places of work with no public access are not normally considered relevant locations for the purpose of Local Air Quality Management and will not usually require an exposure assessment.

What information is required?

In most cases it will be possible to complete a simple exposure assessment using monitoring information in the council’s latest Annual Status Report, the DEFRA background pollution maps and the Bradford CAZ modelling baseline outputs for 2018.

Where there is no relevant data available for a site, or the available data indicates that there is a possibility of air quality objectives and /or standards being exceeded it may be necessary to undertake a period of air quality monitoring at the site to establish current air quality conditions prior to submitting a planning application and/or to commission a bespoke site specific modelling study.  Prior to commissioning independent monitoring or modelling work applicants are advised to agree the exact requirements with the Clean Air team.

Exposure reduction measures

Where developments will introduce new relevant receptor points they should be designed to reduce exposure to air pollutants as far as practicably possible (even in areas where current air quality standards and objectives are met).  Particular consideration should be given to orientation of buildings and public spaces to ensure habitable rooms (such as bedrooms and living rooms) and other public spaces (such as outdoor eating areas, playgrounds, sports pitches etc. are placed as far away from roadsides and other relevant emission sources as possible.  The use of mechanical ventilation to achieve adequate air quality in habitable rooms will not normally be acceptable.  Planning applications should demonstrate that exposure reduction has been taken into consideration when designing schemes.

Further information

Policy driver

Stay connected Image of an envelope

Sign up for email updates about planning and building control

Related pages

Other pages in this section