Air Quality Assessments in Norwich

Development in Norwich

Norwich is the county town of, as well as being the only city in, Norfolk and the largest urban area in East Anglia. It is renowned for its varied architecture, from the gothic spires of Norwich Cathedral to the brutalist blocks of the University of East Anglia, as well as the gateway to the famous Norfolk Broads. Following a period of substantial growth throughout the Georgian and Victorian eras, Norwich has bloomed into an essential centre, as captured above by John Fielding/ CC BY 2.0, for opportunity and economy in the East of England.

Development of the city shows no signs of stopping, with the council aiming to build nearly 50,000 homes in the next 15 years, as laid out in the Greater Norwich Local Plan. Other exciting projects set to be completed in the next few years include the £5.7 million Anatomy Centre at the University of East Anglia, which will provide a state-of-the-art teaching space for medical and dental students in the city.

Air Quality in Norwich

Air quality in Norwich poses a threat to the health of its residents. In 2020, air pollution was linked to 130 premature deaths in Norwich. Though there has been continued improvement in air quality over time, there are still a number of exceedences of the Air Quality Objectives throughout the city and as such, action needs to be taken.

Norwich has a longstanding history with air quality management, having been one of the first cities in the UK to implement a low emissions zone, which covers Castle Meadow Street. In 2021, the city released its Air Quality Action Plan, which focuses on the expansion of cycle networks, extension of the existing low emission zone and reduction of emissions from public transport. Many of these objectives are already underway, with £3.2 million spent on the introduction of electric buses to the network.

It is crucial that developments in Norwich continue to support an improvement in air quality. This should be managed through sound determination and effective mitigation of air quality impacts associated with proposals. This is why Air Quality Assessments in Norwich are needed.

Air Quality Assessments for Planning

Air Quality Assessments in Norwich are now required in support of nearly all planning applications for new developments. Typically, these comprise assessment of three main elements. These are:

• Potential exposure of future occupiers to harmful pollution levels.
• The impact of emissions from vehicles travelling to and from the scheme.
• The impact of dust emissions generated during construction.

Addressing these as part of your application could be the deciding factor for its success or refusal.

Air Quality Assessments in Norwich

The success of your planning application could be aided by Redmore Environmental’s experience undertaking Air Quality Assessments in Norwich. You will gain advice on planning applications and discharging conditions to addressing consultation responses and public comments. We have produced Air Quality Assessments in Norwich for residential and educational schemes, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. Last year alone, over 500 assessments were completed in support of developments similar to yours.

Across Norwich, we have been involved in a number of exciting projects in recent years. These include:

• Stepping Lane, Norwich – Demolition of the existing structure and construction of a student accommodation block to include communal facilities, such as a gym and cinema room, cycle storage, bin storage landscaping and associated works. This was essential in tackling the student housing crisis.
• White Horse Lane, Trowse – Development of 99 residential units, a primary school and associated infrastructure.
• Hellesdon Hall Road, Norwich – Construction and operation of a gas fuelled generator set consisting of four engines. This acts as a backup electricity generation plant and operates during peak periods to supply power to the National Grid.
• Dereham Road, Easton – Construction of circa 72 residential dwellings, together with associated open space, highway and landscaping works and associated infrastructure.

Air Quality Assessment Services

Our air quality experts specialise in all aspects of air quality consultancy. Those relating to planning include:

• Air Quality Assessments in support of planning applications.
• Air Quality Assessments in support of Environmental Permit applications.
• Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Dispersion Modelling Assessments.
• Odour Assessments.
• Construction Dust Risk Assessments and Management Plans.
• Low Emissions Strategies.

Additional Services

We also have expertise in the following areas:

• Bioaerosol Risk Assessments.
• Ambient Air Quality Monitoring.
• BREEAM Indoor Air Quality Assessments.
• Indoor air quality testing.
• Kitchen Odour Assessments.
• Ecological and Ammonia Assessments.
• Local Air Quality Management reports.
• Air Quality Constraints and Screening Opinions.
• Dust and Odour Management Plans.
• Expert Witness.

Get in Touch

If you are concerned about air quality or require an Air Quality Assessment in Norwich undertaking to support a planning application for your development, then please get in touch today to discuss how we can help you ensure permission is granted.