Updated Natural England Guidance for Ecological Air Quality Assessment

Agricultural and industrial infrastructure projects remain the dominant sources of ammonia pollution across the UK. These emissions pose significant risks to air quality and can lead to adverse effects on sensitive habitats and designated ecological sites. Consequently, there is an increasing need to evaluate the impact of such developments and to implement effective measures to prevent potential damage of loss to these protected environments.

Introduction of New Natural England Guidance

To address these challenges, Natural England has recently published new guidance ‘Air Pollution and Development: Advice for Local Authorities‘. This provides updated advice on assessing air pollutant emissions from developments and their potential impacts on protected sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and habitat sites (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites), as part of Ecological Air Quality Assessments and Ammonia Assessments, as well as SCAIL Assessments.

The guidance establishes clear expectations for both developers and regulators. It is intended to be followed by consultants when preparing and supporting planning applications and by Local Planning Authorities when determining those applications.

Key Updates

The revised guidance aligns with the processes outlined in the Habitats Regulations Assessment framework. It provides detailed advice on how to quantify process contributions arising from proposed developments.

Among the key updates are:

• Defined screening distances for specific emissions sources. These vary according to the type, scale and operational characteristics of the proposed activity
• Updated screening steps, offering clear instructions on how to approach each stage of the assessment process
• Enhanced methodological guidance, including advise on how to interpret and apply screening results from SCAIL to inform decision-making

Overall, this updated guidance is designed to improve the consistency and accuracy of Ecological Air Quality Assessments and Ammonia Assessments, strengthen environmental protection and support more sustainable developments across the UK.

Can Redmore Environmental Help You?

Redmore Environmental has over 80 years’ combined experience in the air quality industry, with experience in assessing ammonia emissions from agricultural, industrial and road exhaust emission sources through England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you have a requirement for an Ecological Air Quality Assessments and Ammonia Assessments, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team today to find out how we can help you.