Expert air quality, dust and odour assessments across York and North Yorkshire. Our chartered professionals support planning applications throughout the region.
York faces distinctive air quality challenges arising from its historic, constrained street network and limited river crossings, which concentrate traffic and emissions in key corridors. The city has declared Air Quality Management Areas covering the city centre, Fulford Road, Fishergate, Gillygate and Lawrence Street, where nitrogen dioxide levels have historically exceeded legal limits.
The city's ambitious development pipeline — including the transformative York Central mixed-use scheme on the former railway lands, the Castle Gateway regeneration, and expansion of the University of York — is driving sustained demand for air quality assessments, construction dust assessments and CEMPs. City of York Council expects technically robust assessments that address both individual site impacts and cumulative effects on the city's constrained road network.
At Air Dust Odour, we work with developers, architects and planning consultants across York and the wider North Yorkshire area. Our Chartered Environmentalists understand the specific requirements of City of York Council and neighbouring 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 York and North Yorkshire.
Screening and detailed air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments across York and North Yorkshire. Our assessments follow IAQM guidance and address the specific requirements of City of York Council, including exposure assessment and mitigation design for developments near AQMAs and the city's congested road corridors.
Dust risk assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans for demolition, earthworks and construction projects across the region. With York's dense historic urban core and sensitive heritage receptors often close to development sites, a robust dust assessment and CEMP are essential to satisfy planning conditions and protect neighbouring properties.
Odour impact assessments for industrial, waste management and agricultural operations across North Yorkshire. We assess odour sources using IAQM guidance and, where required, detailed dispersion modelling to quantify potential impacts on sensitive receptors and design appropriate mitigation measures to support planning applications.
Odour risk assessments for restaurants, takeaways, cafes and commercial kitchens following the EMAQ+ methodology. York's thriving hospitality and tourism sector means kitchen odour assessments are routinely required for new or expanded commercial kitchen operations, particularly within the city centre and popular dining areas.
We provide air quality, dust and odour assessment services across North Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
If your development is within or adjacent to one of York'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. City of York Council has declared AQMAs covering key areas including the city centre, Fulford Road, Fishergate, Gillygate and Lawrence Street, and routinely requests air quality assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, particularly those generating significant traffic or located near congested routes within the historic city.
York faces particular air quality challenges due to its constrained medieval street network and limited river crossings, which concentrate traffic and emissions. Major development sites including York Central, the Castle Gateway regeneration and university expansion schemes all require careful air quality assessment. City of York Council expects developers to demonstrate that new schemes will not worsen air quality in existing AQMAs and that future residents will not be exposed to unacceptable pollution levels.
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 York that require planning permission will need a construction dust risk assessment and, for larger schemes, a Construction Environmental Management Plan. York's dense urban environment within the city walls means sensitive receptors such as homes, schools, heritage buildings and tourist areas are often very 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.
