Air Quality Assessments in the East Midlands
Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across the East Midlands. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the region.
Air Quality Specialists for the East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the United Kingdom's most important logistics and distribution corridors, with major developments such as the East Midlands Gateway strategic rail freight interchange and SEGRO Logistics Park driving significant growth across the region. This sustained development pressure, combined with the region's extensive motorway and trunk road network — including the M1, A52, A46 and A6 — means air quality is a key planning consideration for local authorities across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Multiple Air Quality Management Areas are declared across the region, concentrated around busy urban junctions and road corridors in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Northampton and numerous smaller towns. The implications of HS2's Eastern Leg continue to shape planning policy and environmental assessment requirements, particularly for large-scale developments along the proposed route corridor. Local planning authorities increasingly expect robust air quality evidence to accompany planning applications, including assessments of cumulative impacts from the region's growing logistics sector.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across the East Midlands. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of each local authority and deliver clear, authoritative reports that satisfy planning officers and keep your project on track.
Our Services in the East Midlands
We provide specialist air quality, dust and odour assessment services for planning applications across the East Midlands.
Air Quality Assessment for Planning
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across the East Midlands. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and other East Midlands authorities, including exposure assessment and mitigation design.
Construction Dust Assessment & CEMP
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across the East Midlands. With major logistics developments and urban regeneration schemes often located close to residential areas, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour Impact Assessment
Detailed odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management, agricultural and food processing facilities across the East Midlands. The region's growing logistics and industrial sector means odour assessments are frequently required to demonstrate that proposed operations will not cause adverse impacts on nearby sensitive receptors.
Kitchen Odour Assessment
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Kitchen odour assessments are routinely required by East Midlands authorities for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly in city centres and busy high streets across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and the wider region.
Areas We Cover
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across the East Midlands and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an air quality assessment in the East Midlands?
If your development is within or adjacent to an Air Quality Management Area, or if it introduces new sensitive receptors close to busy roads, an air quality assessment is very likely to be required. Authorities across the East Midlands including Nottingham City Council, Derby City Council and Leicester City Council routinely request air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, particularly those generating significant traffic or located near major road corridors such as the M1, A52 and A6.
How much does an air quality assessment cost in the East Midlands?
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.
Do I need a dust assessment for my construction project in the East Midlands?
Most construction projects in the East Midlands that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. The region's mix of urban centres and logistics developments means sensitive receptors such as homes, schools and hospitals are often close to development sites. The assessment follows IAQM guidance to evaluate dust risk and specify appropriate mitigation measures to protect neighbouring properties during demolition, earthworks and construction.
What areas do you cover in the East Midlands?
We cover the entire East Midlands region including Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough, Northampton, Lincoln, Mansfield, Grantham, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Market Harborough. We also cover surrounding towns and rural areas across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Which East Midlands areas have AQMAs?
There are numerous Air Quality Management Areas across the East Midlands. Nottingham, Derby and Leicester each have multiple AQMAs, typically centred on busy road corridors and junctions where nitrogen dioxide levels exceed national objectives. Many smaller towns across the region also have declared AQMAs, including areas in Northampton, Kettering and along the M1 corridor. If your site is within or near an AQMA, an air quality assessment is almost certain to be required as part of your planning application.