New guidance for the assessment of air quality impacts on designated nature conservation sites

The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) has recently published guidance to assist practitioners in the assessment of the air quality impacts of development on designated nature conservation sites.

The document outlines the appropriate thresholds used by local authorities, the Environment Agency and other regulators to conclude that there will not be a significant effect. When these thresholds are exceeded, a suitability qualified and experienced ecologist must determine whether there is likely to be a significant effect on the habitat.

The guidance would be useful for ecologists, who use the results of air quality assessments to evaluate the effects of air pollution on habitats and species, by increasing their understanding of the information provided by air quality specialists.