All development proposals must minimise and, where possible, reduce all forms of pollution and contamination. For air quality, the acceptability or otherwise of a proposal will be determined with reference to the relevant limit values or National Air Quality Objectives as they relate to human health or biodiversity.

In assessing the acceptability of development, the following criteria and the cumulative effects will be considered:

The location and type of development and its relationship to the surrounding built and natural environment will be taken into consideration when assessing the acceptability of the impacts.

Where it can be demonstrated that pollution and/or contamination is unavoidable, appropriate measures must mitigate the negative effects of the development.

Where adequate mitigation cannot be provided, development will not normally be permitted.

For more information, please visit Harlow’s Local Plan here.