An AQMA is a spatial designation for an area which has failed to meet national air quality guidelines. The size of the AQMA depends on the extent of the air quality issue, and its size can range from covering a single street to a local authority area (such as the Worcester City administrative area). Once an AQMA has been declared, the local authority is required to prepare a Local Air Quality Action Plan to bring the area in line with national emission reduction commitments.
The exact nature of an AQMA is dependent on the air pollutants which are present. There are nationally prescribed emission reduction commitments for the following pollutants:
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOX)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
- Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS)
An AQMA can relate to just one or a combination of the above.
AQMAs and planning
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, published July 2021) defines AQMAs as 'areas designated by local authorities because they are not likely to achieve national air quality objectives by the relevant deadlines'.
Air quality is a key consideration when creating planning policy and making planning decisions. The NPPF states that planning policy should comply with national objectives for air pollutants and take into account 'the cumulative impacts on air quality from individual sites in local areas'. When a local planning authority determines that an area fails to comply with national objectives, they are required to declare an AQMA.
What are the planning implications of an AQMA?
The NPPF already ensures the consideration of air quality in planning decisions, and the declaration of an AQMA ensures the significant weight which must then be given to air quality implications when determining planning applications and creating planning policy.
For local planning authorities, the presence of an AQMA means ensuring that planning policies promote development which mitigates the impact of air pollutants. There is a wide range of policy measures that can be implemented, such as requiring that planning applications are accompanied by low emissions strategies, or the production of a Local Transport Plan which supports sustainable transport methods.
For planners and developers, the presence of an AQMA requires more considered thinking about mitigation methods which can be implemented to reduce air pollution. Development is likely to generate air pollution, potentially through the construction process and through the emissions inherent to new land uses, however this does not mean that new development will always have a net negative impact on air quality.
One key consideration for developers is how to implement measures that lead to less air pollution over the long term, such as the installation of low nitrogen oxide boilers, or connection to district heat networks where possible.
If the site is located within or adjacent to an AQMA, local planning policies for the area will likely require an air quality assessment, undertaken by a professionally qualified air quality consultant.
Current AQMAs
There are currently around 660 active AQMAs across the UK, with over 200 others that have now been revoked as the pollutant levels have been brought within national air quality guidelines.
Many local authorities are looking for new ways to ensure that air pollutant levels stay within national prescribed objectives. One such method is the implementation of Clean Air Zones. These zones are separate to AQMAs and apply restrictions for certain vehicle types which pollute more heavily. At the time of writing, there are five active Clean Air Zones, in Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford and Portsmouth. An additional three cities are either in the process of implementing or considering implementing these zones.
Other local authorities are implementing district heat networks to work towards decarbonising domestic heating and reducing air pollution.
Nevertheless, AQMAs will continue to play an important role within the planning sector in ensuring that planning decisions are made with consideration to their impact on air quality.
Further information
Contact Alex Cirant-Taljaard or Sean Lewis
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