Policy information sourced from the Woking Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD)

DM6: Air and water quality

Development that has the potential, either individually or cumulatively, for significant emissions to the detriment of air quality, particularly in designated Air Quality Management Areas (declared under the Environment Act 1995) or in areas at risk of becoming an Air Quality Management Area, should include an appropriate scheme of mitigation which may take the form of on-site measures or, where appropriate, a financial contribution to off-site measures. An Air Quality Assessment will be required for schemes that meet the thresholds set out in paragraph 4.15.

Development in designated Air Quality Management Areas should take account of existing air pollution and include measures to mitigate its impact on future occupiers where possible and consistent with other policies of the Development Plan such as those on climate change and design.

Proposals should avoid damage to Groundwater Source Protection Zones, having regard to the Environment Agency’s ‘Groundwater Protection: Policy and Practice’ guidance or successor documents.

Development adjacent to, or likely to affect, groundwater or surface water bodies covered by the Water Framework Directive and Thames River Basin Management Plan should contribute towards those water bodies maintaining or achieving Good Ecological Status. This may take the form of on-site measures or a financial contribution to off-site measures.

Development proposals that are likely to affect nationally and internationally designated wildlife sites such as Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Areas (SPA) or Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham Special Area of Conservation (SAC) through deteriorating air or water quality will be required to carry out an assessment of the impacts, followed by avoidance and mitigation measures if necessary.

For more information please see the Development Plan Document