EIA and planning

CERC uses the ADMS and ADMS-Urban air quality models to carry out air quality assessments to support planning applications and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

We tackle all types of application, from single stack assessments at industrial sites or the traffic impact of minor developments, to large industrial complexes or major city-centre schemes. We have experience of modelling biomass plant, which in urban areas can require the consideration of other emissions such as those from road traffic.

For changes to traffic flow on a road network, we calculate impacts both with and without the proposed scheme, clearly demonstrating the impact of the proposed development. The calculated impacts on air quality are presented for easy comparison against the relevant air quality standards, with concentration contour plots overlaid on digital maps to show how impacts vary across the surrounding area.

CERC's air quality work to support planning applications and EIA includes odour assessment, calculation of the frequency and length of visible plumes and impacts on sensitive ecosystems and habitats.