Specialist air quality, dust and odour assessments across County Durham, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Teesside. Chartered environmental professionals supporting your planning application.
Based in County Durham, Air Dust Odour specialises in air quality, dust and odour assessments across the North East of England. From initial screening assessments for minor residential developments to detailed dispersion modelling for major infrastructure projects, we deliver technically robust reports that planning authorities trust. We also offer noise and lighting assessments where required.
The North East is a region of contrasts, with large-scale urban regeneration programmes in Newcastle and Gateshead, new-build housing across County Durham and Northumberland, ongoing industrial activity along the Tees Valley corridor, and sensitive rural development in some of England's most valued landscapes. Each of these contexts brings its own environmental assessment requirements, and our team has experience working across all of them.
Several North East local authorities have declared Air Quality Management Areas, including Newcastle and Gateshead, where traffic-related nitrogen dioxide concentrations have historically exceeded national objectives. As the region continues to grow, with major schemes such as housing allocations in local plans and regeneration along the River Tyne and Tees, the demand for proportionate and well-evidenced environmental assessments continues to increase. We work directly with developers, architects, planning consultants and local authority officers to ensure your project progresses smoothly.
We provide a comprehensive range of environmental assessment services to support planning applications and regulatory compliance across the region.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for developments across the North East, including those near AQMAs in Newcastle and Gateshead. All assessments follow IAQM guidance and are prepared to the standard expected by local planning authorities.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition and construction projects throughout the region. Essential for sites near residential areas, schools and hospitals across Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
Odour assessments for restaurants, takeaways, industrial processes and waste facilities, following IAQM odour guidance. Frequently required by North East planning authorities for commercial developments in mixed-use or residential areas.
Occupational exposure monitoring for dust, fumes, noise and other workplace hazards at industrial and construction sites across the North East. Helping employers meet their duties under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
We provide environmental assessment services across all local authority areas in the North East of England.
Common questions about environmental assessments in the North East.
Most planning authorities in the North East require an air quality assessment where a development is located within or near an Air Quality Management Area, generates significant traffic movements, or introduces sensitive receptors close to pollution sources. Even smaller developments may need a screening assessment to confirm that air quality is not a material concern. We can review your proposals and advise on whether an assessment is needed.
Costs depend on the type of assessment and the complexity of the project. Air quality screening assessments typically start from £500, while detailed assessments with dispersion modelling start from £1,500. Dust assessments, odour assessments and noise assessments are priced similarly depending on scope. We provide free, no-obligation quotes tailored to your specific project requirements.
We cover the entire North East region, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland, County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Redcar & Cleveland. Being based in County Durham means we can attend sites quickly across the region. We also work across the wider UK.
Yes, several local authorities in the North East have declared Air Quality Management Areas. Newcastle has AQMAs along key routes including the city centre and Gosforth, while Gateshead has declared AQMAs in areas affected by traffic emissions. Durham, Sunderland and other authorities also have designated areas. Developments within or adjacent to these AQMAs will typically require an air quality assessment as part of a planning application.
Yes, we prepare construction dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) following IAQM guidance. These documents assess the risk of dust impacts during demolition, earthworks, construction and trackout, and set out the mitigation measures needed to protect nearby receptors. Many North East planning authorities require a dust assessment or CEMP as a planning condition.
