Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across Cardiff and South Wales. Our chartered professionals support planning applications under Welsh planning policy.
Cardiff has declared several Air Quality Management Areas across the city, targeting corridors where nitrogen dioxide concentrations have historically exceeded legal limits. Key AQMAs include Castle Street in the city centre, Newport Road and Stephenson Court, reflecting the air quality pressures created by high traffic volumes passing through the Welsh capital's busiest routes.
The city is undergoing significant transformation — the Cardiff Bay regeneration continues to expand, Central Square has redefined the area around Cardiff Central station, and Atlantic Wharf is set to deliver a major new mixed-use quarter. Combined with ongoing residential development across the city and the wider Cardiff Capital Region, demand for air quality assessments, construction dust assessments and CEMPs is growing steadily. The Clean Air (Wales) Act 2024 has further strengthened the legislative framework, placing tighter duties on local authorities and increasing scrutiny of air quality impacts through the planning process.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across Cardiff and South Wales. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the Welsh planning system — including Planning Policy Wales and Technical Advice Note 11 (TAN 11) — and deliver clear, authoritative reports that satisfy Cardiff Council and other Welsh local planning authorities. We also offer noise and lighting assessments where required.
We provide specialist air quality, dust and odour assessment services for planning applications across Cardiff and South Wales.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Cardiff and South Wales. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Cardiff Council and Welsh planning policy, including Planning Policy Wales and TAN 11, with exposure assessment and mitigation design tailored to Welsh regulatory expectations.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across Cardiff. With major regeneration programmes at Cardiff Bay, Central Square and Atlantic Wharf bringing construction activity close to sensitive receptors, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour risk assessments for industrial, waste management and commercial operations across South Wales. Cardiff's mix of industrial heritage, waterfront regeneration and expanding residential areas means odour assessments are increasingly required to demonstrate that proposed developments or existing operations will not cause unacceptable impacts on nearby sensitive receptors.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Cardiff's thriving food and drink scene — particularly around the city centre, Cardiff Bay and suburban high streets — means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations to support planning and licensing applications.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across Cardiff, South Wales and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or adjacent to one of Cardiff'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. Cardiff Council has declared AQMAs along several key corridors including Castle Street, Newport Road and Stephenson Court, where nitrogen dioxide levels have historically exceeded legal limits. Residential, commercial and mixed-use developments generating significant traffic or located near these corridors will typically require an air quality assessment to support a planning application.
The Clean Air (Wales) Act 2024 strengthens the legislative framework for air quality management in Wales, introducing tighter duties on local authorities to monitor and improve air quality and giving Welsh Ministers powers to set more ambitious air quality targets. For developers, this means increased scrutiny of air quality impacts during the planning process and a stronger expectation that new developments will not worsen local air quality. The Act also provides the framework for potential Clean Air Zones in Welsh cities, which could affect transport and logistics planning for new schemes.
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 Cardiff Council requirements influence the final cost. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.
Air quality assessments for developments in Cardiff must satisfy both national Welsh planning policy and local development plan requirements. Planning Policy Wales sets out the overarching framework, while Technical Advice Note 11 (TAN 11) provides specific guidance on noise and air quality in land use planning. Cardiff's Local Development Plan includes policies requiring developers to demonstrate that proposals will not unacceptably harm air quality. Assessments should follow IAQM and LAQM guidance and address the specific expectations of Cardiff Council's environmental health and planning teams.
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.
