Air quality
The council is required by law to monitor and assess the quality of the air in the borough against the national air quality objectives. These are standards that each local authority must try to comply with. The main pollutant of interest in our borough is nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and this primarily arises from the use of vehicles. Details of our monitoring and assessments can be found below.
On this page
Clean Air
Up to date information on national air quality is available by visiting the UK Air website.
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 at a number of locations throughout the borough. The monitoring locations change regularly, usually every 12 months.
We currently have monitoring locations in Basingstoke town centre, Bramley, Chineham, Leisure Park and Beggarwood.
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. More information on how we help improve air quality from industrial processes can be found by visiting our Environmental permitting page.
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.
Bonfire information
For information on bonfires, please visit our bonfires page.
Report a smoky vehicle
Report an excessively smoky lorry or bus exhaust on the GOV.UK website or by calling 0300 123 9000 option 7 (find out about call charges to the GOV.UK).
When reporting a smoky vehicle please provide:
- the vehicle registration number
- the type of vehicle (for example, a car, bus or lorry)
- the date, time and place that you saw the vehicle, and if possible,
- the name of the vehicle operator (from the visible logo or decal of the vehicle).
Documents
Air pollution - what it means for your health(PDF) [2 Mb]
Air quality brochure(PDF) [722 kb]
Air quality and planning guidance(PDF) [730 kb]
Air quality reports
Air Quality Annual Status Report ASR 2020(PDF) [3 Mb]
Air Quality Annual Status Report ASR 2019(PDF) [2 Mb]
Air Quality Annual Status Report ASR 2018(PDF) [2 Mb]
Air Quality Annual Status Report ASR 2017(PDF) [3 Mb]
Air Quality Annual Status Report ASR 2016(PDF) [857 kb]
Updating and Screening Assessment - 2015(PDF) [835 kb]
Armstrong Road Biomass Boiler Detailed Assessment 2015(PDF) [3 Mb]
Air quality assessment - Winton Square(PDF) [3 Mb]
Air quality progress report 2014(PDF) [798 kb]
Air quality progress report 2013(PDF) [501 kb]
Air quality progress report 2012(PDF) [918 kb]
Air quality progress report 2010 and 2011(PDF) [659 kb]
Air quality detailed assessment 2010(PDF) [782 kb]
Contact details
Environmental Health team
If you have an enquiry about environmental health, send a message to the Environmental Health team