Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across Cambridgeshire. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the county and surrounding areas.
Cambridge is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United Kingdom, with a development pipeline shaped by the expansion of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the transformation of North East Cambridge into a major new district, and the wider ambitions of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. This sustained growth brings significant new housing, research facilities, commercial space and supporting infrastructure — all of which require careful consideration of air quality impacts through the planning process.
Cambridge City Council has declared Air Quality Management Areas covering key corridors where nitrogen dioxide levels have historically exceeded national objectives. The compact nature of the city, combined with high traffic volumes on routes such as the A14, A10, A1303 and inner ring road, means air quality is a material planning consideration for a wide range of developments. South Cambridgeshire District Council similarly requires air quality assessments for developments near major roads and within areas of planned growth.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across Cambridgeshire. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire and the wider county authorities, delivering clear, authoritative reports that satisfy planning officers and keep your project on track. We also offer noise and lighting assessments where required.
We provide specialist air quality, dust and odour assessment services for planning applications across Cambridgeshire.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Cambridgeshire. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, including exposure assessment and mitigation design for developments within the Biomedical Campus expansion and North East Cambridge areas.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across Cambridgeshire. With university buildings, research facilities and residential areas often in close proximity to development sites, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management and agricultural operations, as well as assessments evaluating the impact of existing odour sources on proposed new sensitive developments. Cambridgeshire's mix of urban growth alongside agricultural and industrial land uses means odour is a regular planning consideration across the county.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Cambridge's busy food and drink scene, concentrated in the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods, means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or near one of Cambridge's Air Quality Management Areas, or if it introduces new sensitive receptors close to busy roads, an air quality assessment is very likely to be required. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council routinely request air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, particularly those generating significant traffic or located near congested corridors. The rapid growth associated with the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and North East Cambridge development increases scrutiny of cumulative air quality impacts.
The Oxford-Cambridge Arc is a major growth corridor spanning from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to Cambridgeshire. The ambitious housing and infrastructure plans associated with the Arc mean significant new development across the region, bringing heightened requirements for environmental assessment including air quality. Developers working on sites within the Arc should expect local planning authorities to require robust air quality assessments that address cumulative impacts from planned growth, traffic increases and construction activity.
Costs depend on the type and complexity of assessment required. Screening assessments typically start from around £500, detailed air quality assessments with dispersion modelling from around £1,500, and kitchen odour assessments from around £800. Factors such as site location, development size and specific local authority requirements influence the final cost. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.
Most construction projects in Cambridge that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. Cambridge's compact urban core and proximity of residential areas, university buildings and research facilities to development sites mean sensitive receptors are often nearby. The assessment follows IAQM guidance to evaluate dust risk and specify appropriate mitigation measures to protect neighbouring properties during demolition, earthworks and construction.
A screening assessment can typically be completed within 5 to 10 working days. Detailed assessments with dispersion modelling usually take 2 to 4 weeks depending on project complexity and the availability of traffic data. If baseline air quality monitoring is required, this can add 3 to 6 months. We work to your project timeline and can offer expedited turnaround where needed.
