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What does the new PM2.5 Interim Planning Guidance mean for your assessment?
Defra is currently in the process of developing guidance for applicants and planning authorities in England to demonstrate that they have appropriately considered the PM2.5 targets when preparing planning applications and making planning decisions.
Particular matter (PM) is made up of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. These are often grouped into two categories based on particle size; PM10 is particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter and PM2.5 is 2.5 microns or less. Whilst both PM10 and PM2.5 have the potential to cause health problems, the smaller particle sizes can stay suspended in the air for longer and travel further, making them more hazardous. PM10 particles can stay airborne in timeframes of minutes or hours, whereas the smaller PM2.5 particles can stay suspended in the air for days or weeks,
In 2023, The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations set two new targets for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to be reached by 2040:
- A maximum annual mean concentration target of 10µg/m3 (the AMCT); and
- A population exposure reduction target of 35% compared to 2018 baseline levels (the PERT).
Following the introduction of these targets, the guidance that Defra has issued serves as interim guidance before the finalised guidance, which is expected to be published in 2025. The interim guidance encourages developers to consider the risk of exposure to particulate matter when selecting a development site. This includes taking into account emissions during construction and operation of the development, as well as considering the proximity of the site to nearby sensitive receptors and local sources of pollution.
In addition to this, the guidance advises applicants to consider which actions they can take to reduce the exposure for future users and vulnerable receptors in proximity to the development, providing explanations to justify why each measure is to be implemented. For example, this could include emission abatement technology used in the construction or installed for use in the development.
On the other side of the planning process, local authorities are simultaneously encouraged to consider the cumulative impacts of developments both in the production of their Local Plan and when implementing it into the decisions making process. Whilst contributions from individual developments may be small, cumulatively they can result in an overall regional increase in exposure and may therefore have implications on the progress towards the targets.
In principle, this is similar to the Air Quality Positive approach undertaken for large-scale developments within Greater London, which aims to maximise benefits to local air quality around the development sites area while also minimising exposure to existing sources of poor air quality. This involves collaboration between planners, designers, architects and air quality experts to demonstrate what measures have been taken during the design stages to achieve the best possible outcomes for air quality.
The Temple Air Quality Team is in an excellent position to assist developers in following the interim guidance, with our suite of in-house MCERTS compliant PM2.5 monitors available for deployment. This enables us to accurately undertake continuous monitoring of particulate matter emissions, with the ability to identify exceedances in real time, enabling Temple to inform developers so that site operators can take immediate action to mitigate emissions being generated.