Ammonia Assessments in Scotland

Ammonia Assessments in Scotland are a vital aspect of local air quality management, particularly in relation to agricultural emissions and their potential impact on sensitive habitats. These are often required to evaluate the environmental effects of certain agricultural developments, such as livestock housing, manure or slurry storage facilities, and anaerobic digestion plants.

Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, public bodies in Scotland have a duty to conserve biodiversity. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s principle environmental regulator responsible for regulating activities that could lead to pollution or environmental damage. SEPA work in conjunction with NatureScot, who are the Scottish Government’s nature advisor and a statutory consultee for any plans or projects that could affect ecologically designated sites, including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Ramsar sites, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. SEPA may request an Ammonia Assessment to determine the potential risk that agricultural developments pose to protected areas.

Ammonia emissions can arise from sources across agricultural units, from livestock houses, manure and slurry stores, to spreading and grazing activities. Increased ammonia emissions are a concern due to the adverse effects on sensitive habitats. Ammonia can have direct effects such as leaf discolouration, bleaching and changes in species composition of bryophyte and lichen communities. There are also indirect effects as a result of increased nitrogen and acid deposition to the environment, leading to nitrate leaching, soil toxicity, acidification of freshwater systems, and algal blooms. Assessing potential emissions of ammonia is therefore important to limit the potential negative effect on biodiversity of important conservation sites.

Regional Guidance

SEPA has produced guidance to support the assessment of potential impacts from atmospheric ammonia emissions on designated ecological sites arising from agricultural developments. This sets out the following key assessment stages when considering potential impacts from a proposed development:

• Screening to determine the proximity of the installation to relevant protected ecological designations.
• Quantifying additional ammonia emissions to which a protected site may be exposed as a result of the development. This may be undertaken using either the SCAIL tool or detailed atmospheric dispersion modelling.
• Comparing predicted impacts against relevant screening thresholds, both as a standalone development and in combination with other nearby plans and projects.
• SEPA consultation with NatureScot, where screening thresholds are exceeded, to determine whether adverse effects or significant damage to sensitive sites are likely.

Redmore Environmental has extensive experience in undertaking Ammonia Assessments in line with SEPA’s guidance and can provide robust, evidence-based evaluations to support planning and permitting projects. Assessments can be undertaken for a range of livestock applications, from new housing systems for cattle, pigs, poultry and other livestock types required to expand operations and improve animal welfare standards, to installations of new manure and slurry storage systems to improve waste handling operations. These can be undertaken for all scales of development, from small-scale units to intensive agricultural installations.

The in-house expertise that Redmore Environmental offer provides our clients with confidence that assessments will be undertaken to meet their objectives in line with relevant regulatory guidance. Advice tailored to each application can be provided to help identify suitable mitigation solutions, if required.

Ammonia Assessments in Scotland

Success of your planning and Pollution Prevention and Control Permit applications could be aided by Redmore Environmental’s comprehensive experience of undertaking assessments for agricultural applications throughout Scotland. You will gain advice on application approaches and discharging conditions to addressing consultation responses. Throughout Scotland we have been involved in several exciting agricultural projects in recent years. These include:

• Nether Glasslaw Farm – Ammonia Assessment in support of a Pollution Prevention and Control Permit Application for the expansion of egg laying operations at Nether Glasslaw Farm, New Pitsligo. The proposed additional layer sheds would increase site capacity to 64,000 birds ventilated via high velocity roof fans with heat exchangers fitted to reduce emissions of ammonia. The scheme had the potential to cause ammonia impacts at sensitive locations in the vicinity of the site. A dispersion modelling assessment was undertaken to consider potential effects. The findings were reviewed by SEPA and NatureScot and both planning permission and a Pollution Prevention and Control Permit granted for the facility.
• Dalfram Farm – Ammonia and Dust Assessments completed in support of the construction of a new poultry shed with an associated outdoor ranging area on land at Dalfram Farm, Cumnock. The proposed building provided capacity for up to 64,000 laying hens ventilated through the use of gable end fans. The scheme had the potential to cause ammonia and dust impacts at sensitive locations as result of atmospheric releases from the expanded farm. An assessment was therefore undertaken to consider effects in the vicinity of the unit. The results indicated a requirement for mitigation to reduce impacts.
• Fallside Hill Farms – Ammonia and Odour Assessment completed in support of a broiler breeder laying unit at Fallside Hill Farms, Kelso. The proposed buildings provided capacity for up to 37,060 birds. The scheme had the potential to cause ammonia and odour impacts at sensitive locations as a result of emissions from the proposals. Dispersion modelling was therefore undertaken to consider effects in the vicinity of the unit. The results did not indicate the need for mitigation and acceptance was granted for the planning application by the Local Authority.

How can we help you?

Redmore Environmental has extensive experience in preparing Ammonia Assessments, as well as wider Ecological Air Quality Assessments, to support a diverse range of agricultural developments across Scotland, from small-scale farms to intensive livestock operations. Our work has included direct consultation with SEPA and NatureScot in relation to specific planning and PPC Permit applications.

Ammonia is just one of several pollutants of concern associated with agricultural activities. Other potential issues include odour, dust, bioaerosols, and emissions from on-farm combustion processes, all of which can impact the health and amenity of nearby communities. Redmore Environmental offers comprehensive assessment services covering all relevant pollutants, ensuring that your application is fully supported by robust evidence.

To discuss your project or learn more about how we can assist with ammonia assessments or related air quality issues, contact one of our specialist Air Quality Consultants today.