Air Quality

All development should not cause deterioration in the local air quality levels and should ensure the protection of both existing and new sensitive receptors.

All major development within the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) should demonstrate air quality neutrality (no worsening of impacts) where appropriate; actively contribute to the promotion of sustainable transport measures such as vehicle charging points and the increased provision for vehicles with cleaner transport fuels; deliver increased planting through soft landscaping and living walls and roofs; and provide a management plan for ensuring air quality impacts can be kept to a minimum.

The Council seeks to reduce the levels of pollutants referred to in the Government’s National Air Quality Strategy and will have regard to the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy. London Boroughs should also take account of the findings of the Air Quality Review and Assessments and Actions plans, in particular where Air Quality Management Areas have been designated.

The Council has a network of Air Quality Monitoring stations but recognises that this can be widened to improve understanding of air quality impacts. The Council may therefore require new major development in an AQMA to fund additional air quality monitoring stations to assist in managing air quality improvements.

Noise

The Council will investigate Hillingdon’s target areas identified in the Defra Noise Action Plans, promote the maximum possible reduction in noise levels and will minimise the number of people potentially affected.

The Council will seek to identify and protect Quiet Areas in accordance with Government Policy on sustainable development and other Local Plan policies.

The Council will seek to ensure that noise sensitive development and noise generating development are only permitted if noise impacts can be adequately controlled and mitigated.

Land Contamination

The Council will expect proposals for development on contaminated land to provide mitigation strategies that reduce the impacts on surrounding land uses. Major development proposals will be expected to demonstrate a sustainable approach to remediation that includes techniques to reduce the need to landfill.

Water Resources

The Council will require that all new development demonstrates the incorporation of water efficiency measures within new development to reduce the rising demand on potable water. All new development must incorporate water recycling and collection facilities unless it can be demonstrated it is not appropriate. For residential developments, the Council will require applicants to demonstrate that water consumption will not surpass 105 litres per person per day.

For more information please see the Local Plan: Part 1