Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across Glasgow and the Central Belt. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Glasgow is home to Scotland's first and only Low Emission Zone, enforced for all vehicles since June 2023, reflecting the city's long-standing air quality challenges. Glasgow City Council has declared multiple Air Quality Management Areas across the city, with persistent exceedances of nitrogen dioxide limits along key corridors including Hope Street, the M8 motorway and Great Western Road.
The city is experiencing a major wave of regeneration — from large-scale developments along the Clyde and the Buchanan Quarter to the transformative Sighthill masterplan and ongoing investment across the wider metropolitan area. This pace of development, combined with Glasgow's significant industrial heritage, means demand for air quality assessments, construction dust assessments, CEMPs and odour impact assessments is consistently high. Air quality is managed under the Scottish LAQM framework, with assessments expected to follow IAQM guidance and have regard to SEPA requirements and the Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across Glasgow and the Central Belt. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of Glasgow City Council and neighbouring Scottish authorities, delivering clear, authoritative reports that satisfy planning officers and keep your project on track.
We provide specialist air quality, dust and odour assessment services for planning applications across Glasgow and the wider Central Belt.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Glasgow. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Glasgow City Council and the Scottish planning system, including exposure assessment, Low Emission Zone considerations and mitigation design.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across Glasgow. With dense urban surroundings and sensitive receptors often close to major regeneration sites along the Clyde, Sighthill and the city centre, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management and commercial developments across Glasgow and the Central Belt. Glasgow's large industrial base and proximity of residential areas to commercial and industrial operations mean odour assessments are frequently required to demonstrate compliance with SEPA guidance and satisfy planning conditions.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Glasgow's vibrant food scene means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly in the city centre, West End, Finnieston and busy suburban high streets.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or adjacent to one of Glasgow'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. Glasgow City Council has declared multiple AQMAs across the city, particularly along major corridors such as the M8, Great Western Road, Byres Road and Hope Street. Residential, commercial and mixed-use developments in these areas will typically require an air quality assessment to support a planning application under the Scottish LAQM framework.
Glasgow introduced Scotland's first Low Emission Zone in 2018, with enforcement for all vehicles beginning in June 2023. The LEZ covers the city centre and restricts access for vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards. For developers, the LEZ increases scrutiny of transport-related air quality impacts during the planning process. Assessments must consider the effects of the LEZ on baseline pollutant concentrations and demonstrate that new developments will not undermine air quality improvements within and around the zone.
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 Glasgow City Council requirements influence the final cost. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.
Air quality in Scotland is managed under the Local Air Quality Management framework set out in the Environment Act 1995 and subsequent Scottish regulations. Scottish Planning Policy and National Planning Framework 4 require planning authorities to consider air quality impacts when determining applications. Glasgow City Council works closely with SEPA, and assessments must follow IAQM and Scottish Government guidance. Developers should also be aware of the Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy, which sets out the national approach to improving air quality.
Most construction projects in Glasgow that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. Glasgow's dense urban environment and ongoing regeneration across the city mean 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.
