Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across Scotland. Our chartered professionals support planning applications under Scottish legislation and SEPA guidance.
Scotland operates its own Local Air Quality Management framework under the Environment Act 1995, with air quality objectives set through the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010. Multiple cities across Scotland have declared Air Quality Management Areas, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, where nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels have historically exceeded national objectives along busy road corridors and in city centres.
Glasgow introduced Scotland's first Low Emission Zone in 2018, with Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen following suit. These zones are reshaping how air quality is assessed for new developments, particularly those generating traffic within or near LEZ boundaries. Scotland's planning system operates under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, and SEPA provides Scotland-specific guidance on air quality assessment that should be followed alongside IAQM methodology and the LAQM.PG(S) framework.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across Scotland. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of Scottish local authorities 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 Scotland.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across Scotland. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and SEPA requirements, addressing the specific policies of Scottish local authorities including exposure assessment, Low Emission Zone considerations and mitigation design under the Scottish LAQM framework.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across Scotland. Whether your site is in the heart of Edinburgh, alongside the Clyde in Glasgow, or in a sensitive rural location, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy Scottish planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties and the environment.
Quantitative and qualitative odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management, agricultural and other odour-generating developments across Scotland. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address SEPA requirements, helping you demonstrate that odour impacts will be acceptable and supporting planning applications and environmental permit applications.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. Scotland's vibrant food and drink scene means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly in Edinburgh's Old Town, Glasgow's city centre and busy high streets across Scotland's towns and cities.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across Scotland.
If your development is within or adjacent to an Air Quality Management Area, introduces new sensitive receptors near busy roads, or generates significant traffic, an air quality assessment is very likely to be required. Scotland's planning system operates under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, and local authorities across Scotland routinely request air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. SEPA guidance on air quality assessment should be followed alongside IAQM methodology and the LAQM.PG(S) framework.
Glasgow introduced Scotland's first Low Emission Zone in 2018, with enforcement for all vehicles beginning in June 2023. Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen have also introduced LEZs. These zones restrict the most polluting vehicles from entering city centres and have significant implications for air quality assessments, particularly for developments that generate traffic within or near LEZ boundaries. Developers should consider LEZ impacts when assessing transport emissions and designing mitigation strategies.
Multiple Scottish cities and towns have declared Air Quality Management Areas where national air quality objectives are not being met. These include areas within Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Falkirk, Perth, Inverness, Stirling and several other local authority areas. AQMAs are typically declared along busy road corridors and in city centres where nitrogen dioxide or particulate matter levels exceed Scottish air quality objectives set under the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010.
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.
Scotland operates its own Local Air Quality Management framework under the Environment Act 1995, with air quality objectives set through the Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010. While the pollutants and limit values are broadly similar to those in England, Scotland has adopted more stringent objectives for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The Scottish planning system operates under separate legislation, and SEPA provides Scotland-specific guidance on air quality assessment. Scottish local authorities may also have different supplementary planning guidance and validation requirements compared to their English counterparts.
