Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across South West England. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the region.
South West England is experiencing significant growth and regeneration. Bristol's Clean Air Zone — launched in November 2022 — has placed air quality at the forefront of planning decisions across the city, while Bath's World Heritage status demands particularly sensitive and robust environmental assessments for new development. Exeter's rapid expansion, Plymouth's waterfront regeneration and ongoing development across Gloucester, Cheltenham and Swindon are all driving demand for specialist air quality consultancy.
The region maintains multiple Air Quality Management Areas, reflecting challenges with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter along major road corridors and within historic city centres where narrow streets and congestion concentrate pollution. Local planning authorities across the South West routinely require air quality assessments, construction dust assessments and odour impact assessments as part of the planning process, with particular attention to the impact of new developments on air quality in sensitive locations.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across the South West. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of each local authority — from Bristol City Council and Bath & North East Somerset to Devon, Cornwall and Wiltshire — and deliver 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 South West England.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across the South West. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and other South West authorities, including exposure assessment, Clean Air Zone considerations and mitigation design for sensitive heritage settings.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across the South West. Historic city centres such as Bath and Exeter present particular challenges, with sensitive receptors and heritage assets often close to development sites. A robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect the surrounding environment.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. The South West's thriving hospitality and tourism sector means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly in busy city centres, harbour areas and popular tourist destinations.
Comprehensive odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management, agricultural and sewage treatment facilities across the South West. With the region's mix of urban centres and rural landscapes, we assess odour exposure at existing and proposed sensitive receptors using IAQM guidance, dispersion modelling and professional judgement to support planning and environmental permit applications.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across South West England and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or adjacent to an Air Quality Management Area, generates significant traffic, or introduces sensitive receptors close to busy roads, an air quality assessment is very likely to be required. Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and other South West authorities all maintain AQMAs and routinely request air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. Bath's World Heritage status adds particular sensitivity to development proposals within and around the city.
The Bristol Clean Air Zone, which launched in November 2022, is designed to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within legal limits in the city centre. For planning purposes, developments within or adjacent to the CAZ face heightened scrutiny regarding air quality impacts. Assessments must demonstrate that new developments will not worsen air quality and that future occupants will experience acceptable pollution levels. Bristol City Council expects technically robust assessments that address cumulative impacts and align with the city's wider clean air and climate strategies.
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, proximity to an AQMA, development size and specific local authority requirements influence the final cost. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your project.
Yes, we provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across the entire South West region. This includes the major cities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth, as well as towns such as Gloucester, Cheltenham, Swindon, Taunton, Yeovil, Truro, Dorchester and Salisbury. Our consultants understand the specific requirements of each local planning authority across the region, from urban centres to rural and coastal areas.
Most construction projects in the South West that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. This is particularly important in the region's historic city centres such as Bath and Exeter, where sensitive receptors and heritage assets 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.
