Pollution control - construction information
Environmental issues for new development
There can be a range of environmental issues arising from new development. The planning service therefore consults scientific services about many planning applications each year.
Issues that the team comments on include:
- Noise and vibrations – arising from the development or existing noise sources which may affect it. Developments may, for example, be proposed on busy roads or next to a railway line.
- Air Quality – certain types of development may worsen air quality. In some cases housing may be proposed in an area where air quality is very poor.
- Contaminated land– many new developments are on or near to brownfield sites.
- Fumes and odours – new restaurants and takeaways need proper cooking extraction. This should be properly designed and installed and have an outlet point above and well clear of nearby windows.
Very often the impacts can be adequately controlled through planning conditions.
As well as reporting their observations to planning officers, the scientific officers help to advise on planning conditions for dealing with these possible problems.
If you have concerns about environmental issues surrounding a new development contact Scientific Services.
- Environmental health construction site guidelines
(PDF 121KB).
