The impact of new development upon air quality is controlled through the planning process. This includes emissions produced during the construction phase of a development, such as dust and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) emissions, as well as those produced during the operational phase, such as emissions associated with heating and transport.
By helping to reduce the impact of new development on air quality, planning contributes towards achieving the key actions of the Brent Air Quality Action Plan, including: reducing building emissions; reducing transport emissions, and improving green infrastructure.
The Greater London Authority (GLA) and Council have identified air pollution hotspots known as Air Quality Focus Areas (AQFAs). AQFAs are locations with high human exposure with high levels of pollution.
To guide development in AQFAs, in line with the London Plan, the Local Plan has adopted an air quality neutral and positive approach. It also contains many policies that indirectly seek to improve air quality such as for sustainable energy, sustainable travel and open spaces.
Whilst all developments are required to demonstrate the achievement of air quality neutral, Major developments are required to go that bit further and achieve air quality positive when located within an AQFA, or a Growth Area.
Whether or not a new development proposal is located in one of these areas can be identified on the Council’s interactive Planning Policies Map.
Further guidance on air quality requirements for new developments can be found in the Council’s Sustainable Environment and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
Non Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) Project
‘Non-road mobile machinery’ (NRMM) means things like diggers, pumps and generators and a wide range of other heavy-duty equipment found on construction sites. The exhaust emissions from their powerful engines can be very bad for air quality, so there is a ‘low emission zone’ for NRMM in London.
Brent Council are part of a pan-London project which strives for cleaner construction in London, working with LB Merton who audit emissions from NRMM on construction sites on behalf of the Greater London Authority and London borough councils.
All NRMM used on construction sites in Greater London must conform to the Mayor of London’s NRMM emission standards.
Construction site operators need to log their sites and machinery online using the NRMM register.
Visit Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) – Mayor of London to:
- find out about the emissions standards and how to meet them;
- register construction sites and machinery.