Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across Greater Manchester. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the city region.
Manchester sits at the heart of one of the largest Air Quality Management Areas in the United Kingdom, covering the city centre and major road corridors including the M60, A56, A34 and A57. With nitrogen dioxide levels historically exceeding legal limits across large parts of the conurbation, air quality is a central planning consideration for virtually every significant development in Greater Manchester.
The city region's rapid development pipeline — spanning large-scale residential schemes, commercial towers, infrastructure projects and the ongoing regeneration of areas such as the Northern Quarter, Ancoats, Salford Quays and Stockport town centre — means demand for air quality assessments, construction dust assessments and CEMPs is consistently high. The Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan has further sharpened the focus on air quality, and local planning authorities across the ten boroughs expect technically robust assessments that address cumulative impacts and demonstrate effective mitigation.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across Greater Manchester. 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. We also offer noise and lighting assessments where required.
We provide specialist air quality, dust and odour assessment services for planning applications across Greater Manchester.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Greater Manchester. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Manchester City Council and the wider Greater Manchester authorities, including exposure assessment and mitigation design.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across Greater Manchester. With dense urban surroundings and sensitive receptors often close to development sites, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Manchester's thriving food and drink scene means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly in the city centre and busy suburban high streets.
Demonstrating that a proposed development will not worsen local air quality by exceeding transport and building emission benchmarks. While not yet a universal requirement across Greater Manchester, an increasing number of local authorities are requesting air quality neutral or equivalent assessments for major schemes, and we can advise on whether your project needs one.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or adjacent to one of Greater Manchester'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. Manchester City Council and the other Greater Manchester authorities 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 A56, A34 and M60.
The Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan is a region-wide initiative led by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within legal limits in the shortest possible time. While the original Clean Air Zone charging proposals were revised, the plan continues to drive investment in cleaner transport and tighter planning requirements for air quality. Developers should be aware that the plan increases scrutiny of air quality impacts during the planning process.
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 Manchester that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. Greater Manchester's dense urban environment 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.
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.
