Air Quality Assessment – Westerleigh Road, Lyde Green, Bristol

Bristol is currently experiencing rapid development, with the population increasing at rates above the national average. This growth extends well beyond the city centre, influencing many of the surrounding localities. One such example is the suburb of Lyde Green, situated approximately five miles north-east of central Bristol and adjacent to Emersons Green. While it falls within the administrative boundaries of South Gloucestershire, it is widely perceived to be part of Bristol’s wider urban extents. Just 15 years ago, this area was largely vacant land, but now it has transformed into a neighbourhood of its own, complete with over 2,000 houses, a new primary school and, notably, the £300 million Bristol and Bath Science Park, which was home to Redmore Environmental’s original Bristol office.

We are excited to have been involved with a number of projects in the area. Recently, Redmore Environmental was instructed to undertake an Air Quality Assessment in support of a mixed-use development on land at Weston Farm, Westerleigh Road, Bristol. The proposals comprised the demolition of existing structures on site and subsequent construction of 15 light industrial units and 34 residential dwellings, with associated parking and landscaping works.

Lyde Green Air Quality Assessment

The site is located adjacent to the M4 and associated road vehicle exhaust emissions. An Air Quality Assessment was therefore undertaken to determine whether the proposals would expose future occupants to poor air quality, as well as cause impacts during the construction and operational phases.

Methodology and Findings

Dust

During the construction phase of the proposals there was the potential for any dust released from the associated demolition and construction activities to cause adverse impacts on nearby receptors. The risk of impacts from demolition, earthworks, construction and trackout activities was therefore assessed in accordance with the relevant Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) guidance. Mitigation was then recommended to control any associated impacts to an acceptable level.

Vehicle Exhaust Emissions

The proposals may cause air quality impacts at nearby receptors as a result of emissions from vehicles travelling to and from the site. These were assessed using the criteria within the relevant IAQM guidance. The findings indicated that road vehicle exhaust emissions associated with the development were not predicted to cause adverse impacts at sensitive locations in the vicinity of the site.

Resident Exposure to Poor Air Quality

The proposals may also expose future occupants to high pollution levels, due to the site’s proximity to the M4 and associated road vehicle exhaust emissions. Pollutant levels across the site were therefore quantified by undertaking dispersion modelling using ADMS-Roads software.

The results of the modelling indicated that concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10µg/m³ (PM₁₀) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5µg/m³ (PM_2.5) were below the relevant Air Quality Objectives and Concentration Target across the development.

Conclusions

Based on the assessment results, it was concluded that air quality did not pose a constraint to planning consent for the development.

How can we help?

If you are concerned about air quality issues associated with your development, or have a requirement for an Air Quality Assessment in Bristol, South Gloucestershire or elsewhere in the country, do not hesitate to get in touch today to see how we can help.