Air quality information

We are required under the Environment Act 1995, to review and assess the quality of air in the borough against the national air quality standards and objectives. This means we have to monitor levels of certain pollutants. The main pollutants of concern are nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine dust particles (PM₁₀).

Up to date information on national air quality is available by visiting http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/

Air Quality Management Areas

In areas of poor air quality, local authorities are required to declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Currently, there are no air quality management areas in Basingstoke and Deane.

Monitoring and assessment

We use diffusion tubes to measure levels of NO₂ in the air. These are small plastic tubes containing a chemical which, when exposed to, measures the amount of NO₂ (in micrograms of NO₂ per cubic metre of air). The tubes are changed each month to provide average monthly levels. The NO₂ measured is mainly from road traffic, although the tubes will pick up emissions from industry and background sources. We currently have monitoring locations in Basingstoke Town Centre, Tadley and Whitchurch.

Air quality reports

Since 2000 we have had a statutory duty for managing local air quality under the Environment Act 1995. We are required to carry out annual reviews and assessments of air quality in our borough against standards and objectives prescribed in the national air quality strategy. These standards are set to protect human health.

The reports can be viewed below.

Air quality and planning guidance

Air quality may be an important consideration in determining planning applications. The aim of the document below is to provide guidance on the way in which air quality and air pollution issues will be dealt with through the planning system.

Poor air quality can have harmful impacts on health and the amenity of users of land in terms of odour, dust and nuisance. The planning system has a key role in protecting people from unacceptable risks to their health and in providing adequate protection to the amenity value of land. These considerations must be balanced against other aims of the planning system such as to secure economic regeneration and provide adequate levels of housing. The aim is to achieve sustainable development in the borough that achieves the best balance of social, economic and environmental considerations. All of these considerations can have significance for both spatial policy and individual development control decisions.

Environmental permitting

We help improve air quality by also controlling and reducing emissions to atmosphere from industrial processes within the borough.

Environmental permitting consultations

The public is invited to comment on current applications for all Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) permits (Part A2 and Part B) and draft determinations of A2 applications.

A list of all current applications and draft determinations is available to view below. The application/determination details are also held on the public register at the Council Offices. This can be viewed free of charge by appointment. Comments on applications and determinations must be made to the council in writing within the stipulated consultation period.

The consultation period for new applications and draft determinations is set within the Environmental Permitting Regulations. The consultation period for all new applications is 30 working days and 20 working days for consultation on draft determination of A2 applications.

Any written comments received from the public will be placed on the public register unless they include a request that this is not done. In such circumstances the register will include a note that representations have been made which are not on the register because of such a request.

For enquiries about the public register please send a message to the Environmental Health team.

Current environmental permit applications and consultations

There are currently no applications or draft determination documents for environmental permits.

Bonfires

For more information on bonfires, please visit our bonfires webpage.

Report a smoky vehicle

Report an excessively smoky lorry or bus exhaust to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) - https://www.gov.uk/report-smoky-vehicle.