Policy information sourced from the Guildford Local Plan: Develpment Managment Policies
P9: Air Quality and Air Quality Management Areas
Development proposals should have regard to the need to improve air quality and reduce the effects of poor air quality.
Development proposals must not result in significant adverse impacts on sensitive receptors, including human health, sensitive habitats and any sites designated for their nature conservation value, from any sources of emissions to air.
Development proposals are required to include a detailed Air Quality Assessment, where:
- major development is proposed and has the potential, including when combined with the cumulative effect of other approved developments and site allocations, to have significant adverse impacts on air quality;
- the proposed development has the potential to result in significant adverse impacts and is within, and in close proximity to, a sensitive habitat, including any site designated for its nature conservation value;
- development would introduce or intensify sensitive uses within an area that is known to experience existing poor air quality conditions, including an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA); and/or
- the proposed development would be likely to result in the increase of air pollution levels within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).
Where an Air Quality Assessment identifies potential significant adverse impacts on sensitive receptors from any source of emissions to air, the applicant must submit an Emissions Mitigation Assessment, detailing the appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures that will be implemented to prevent significant adverse impacts on sensitive receptors, including future occupiers or users of the site, from any sources of emissions to air.
Proposed avoidance and mitigation measures are expected to follow the ‘Air Quality Avoidance and Mitigation Hierarchy’ and be designed to maximise their ecological and aesthetic value.
Development proposals within, and in close proximity to, Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are required to demonstrate how the proposed avoidance and mitigation measures would make a positive contribution towards the aims of the Council’s Air Quality Strategy and the appropriate Air Quality Action Plan.
A ‘Verification Report’ must be submitted to the Council and approved prior to the development’s occupation or use, which demonstrates the agreed avoidance and mitigation measures have been implemented effectively.
Where required, planning obligations will be used to secure contributions to tackle poor air quality and/or for air quality monitoring.
Where there will be significant adverse impacts that cannot be effectively mitigated, the planning application will be refused.
For more information please see the Local Plan