Decision details

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         notes and acknowledge that it appears following the annual review and assessment of air quality, that the annual mean nitrogen dioxide objective as specified in the Air Quality Regulations 2000 is not being achieved within the area outlined in red on the plan in Schedule 1 of Appendix A of report HCS/25 (comprising the whole of the designated area under the Hazelwick AQMA and an area adjacent thereto) and;

b)      agrees to extend the designated area of the existing Hazelwick AQMA by making an order pursuant to section 83 of the Environment Act 1995 in the terms set out in the draft at Appendix A to report HCS/25.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The council has a statutory duty under the Environmental Act 1995 to declare an Air Quality Management Area in areas where, following an air quality review, it appears that any of the National air quality objectives are not being met.

The Council monitors and reviews air quality across the borough annually to identify those areas where prescribed air quality objectives, are being, or are likely to be, exceeded. Having identified locations in this area that are exceeding the limits for annual average nitrogen dioxide, the Council has a duty to declare an AQMA.

Declaring the AQMA, enables an air quality action plan to be produced to target the sources of pollution in the locality and draw up measures to improve air quality in this area.