From commercial kitchen odour assessments to industrial olfactory surveys and dispersion modelling, we provide the specialist odour expertise your project needs to satisfy planning and regulatory requirements.
Odour is one of the most common causes of complaint to local authorities and the Environment Agency. Whether arising from commercial kitchens, industrial processes, waste management operations or sewage treatment works, uncontrolled odour emissions can cause significant amenity impacts for nearby residents and constitute a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
At Air Dust Odour, we provide comprehensive odour assessment services covering the full spectrum of odour-related planning and regulatory requirements. Our assessments follow the EMAQ Plus framework for commercial kitchen applications and the IAQM Guidance on the Assessment of Odour for Planning for industrial and process-related sources. We combine desktop analysis, site-based sniff testing and advanced odour dispersion modelling to deliver technically robust reports that satisfy planning authorities and environmental regulators.
Our team has extensive experience working with planning consultants, architects, restaurant operators, industrial clients and local authorities across the UK. We understand the practical and commercial pressures our clients face, and we tailor our advice to provide proportionate, defensible solutions.
Planning authorities and environmental regulators will typically require an odour assessment in the following situations.
New restaurants, cafes, bakeries and food production facilities where cooking odour may affect neighbouring residential or commercial properties. An EMAQ Plus assessment is typically required.
Change of use or new planning applications for hot food takeaways (A5/Sui Generis) and restaurants (A3/E class) where odour control and extraction details are required by the local authority.
Manufacturing, chemical processing, rendering, animal feed production and other industrial operations where process odours may impact surrounding sensitive receptors.
Landfill sites, composting facilities, anaerobic digestion plants, waste transfer stations and recycling centres where odour control is a key regulatory and planning requirement.
Wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and sewage infrastructure where odour emissions require assessment, particularly when new residential development is proposed nearby.
Where a planning condition requires an odour assessment, odour management plan or details of odour mitigation and extraction equipment to be submitted prior to commencement or occupation.
We provide specialist odour assessment and advisory services tailored to the nature, scale and regulatory context of your project.
Quantitative odour risk assessments for commercial kitchens following the EMAQ Plus methodology. We calculate the odour effect index based on cooking type, proximity to receptors, flue termination height and extraction system specification. Our reports include clear recommendations on the appropriate level of odour control equipment required to satisfy planning requirements.
Comprehensive odour impact assessments for industrial processes, manufacturing facilities, waste operations and other sources of process odour. We follow the IAQM Guidance on the Assessment of Odour for Planning, combining source characterisation, receptor sensitivity analysis and professional judgement to determine the significance of odour effects.
Site-based odour surveys carried out by trained assessors to characterise and map the extent of odour impacts from existing or proposed sources. Sniff testing provides valuable qualitative evidence of odour intensity, frequency, character and offensiveness at receptor locations, and is often used to support or validate modelling predictions.
Advanced atmospheric dispersion modelling using ADMS software to predict odour concentrations at sensitive receptor locations. We model odour emissions from point, area and volume sources, presenting results as contour plots and comparing predicted concentrations against the relevant odour benchmarks and exposure criteria established in EA and IAQM guidance.
Detailed odour management plans (OMPs) for industrial, waste and food processing operations. Our plans set out the operational controls, maintenance procedures, monitoring protocols and complaint response procedures necessary to minimise odour emissions and demonstrate compliance with environmental permit conditions and planning requirements.
Technical review and specification of kitchen ventilation and odour extraction systems to ensure compliance with EMAQ Plus, DW/172 and relevant Building Regulations. We advise on appropriate filtration technologies, flue termination heights, discharge velocities and maintenance requirements to achieve effective odour abatement.
A proportionate, cost-effective assessment for lower-risk sites where a full odour survey or modelling exercise may not be warranted. We review the proposed development, surrounding receptors, meteorological conditions and available odour source data to provide a professional opinion on the likely significance of odour effects and any mitigation required.
Ongoing odour monitoring programmes to demonstrate compliance with planning conditions, environmental permit requirements or abatement notices. We provide regular site inspections, boundary sniff testing, community monitoring and reporting to help operators maintain good odour control and build positive relationships with regulators and local communities.
We discuss your project, the nature of the odour source, nearby sensitive receptors and the planning or regulatory requirements. This allows us to scope the assessment accurately, advise on the appropriate methodology and provide a clear fee proposal.
Where required, we carry out a site visit to characterise the odour source, assess receptor locations and gather the information needed for the assessment. For kitchen assessments, we review menu types, cooking methods and extraction specifications. For industrial sources, we assess process operations and emission characteristics.
We carry out the odour assessment following the relevant methodology, whether EMAQ Plus for kitchens, IAQM guidance for industrial sources, or dispersion modelling for complex scenarios. Our analysis considers source strength, receptor sensitivity, meteorological conditions and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.
You receive a clear, professionally formatted report with our assessment findings, conclusions and recommendations. We support you through the planning process, responding to any queries from environmental health officers, planning officers or third-party reviewers.
All our odour assessments are carried out in accordance with the latest industry guidance, regulatory frameworks and national policy.
