Air Quality
Context
Arthian was appointed to deliver a comprehensive Air Quality Assessment for two separate mixed‑use developments in the London Borough of Southwark. Both sites sit within areas of elevated background pollution and were progressing under accelerated planning programmes, requiring a coordinated, policy‑aligned technical response.
The Challenge
The client faced a combination of programme pressure, policy complexity, and environmental constraints:
- Tight planning deadlines meant assessments needed to be completed quickly without compromising robustness.
- Poor baseline air quality across both locations increased the risk of non‑compliance, design revisions, or additional modelling cycles.
- The developments were subject to heightened scrutiny under the London Plan, particularly Policy SI 1, requiring Air Quality Neutral outcomes and clear evidence of mitigation.
- The client also needed early clarity on how air quality considerations would interact with wider sustainability targets, including BREEAM UK New Construction (Residential).
Together, these factors created a high‑pressure environment where delays or misalignment with policy could have jeopardised the planning trajectory.
The Solution
Arthian delivered a streamlined, multidisciplinary solution that met the client’s deadlines while strengthening the overall planning position.
- Integrated modelling workflows combined multiple assessment stages, reducing duplication and accelerating delivery.
- Close collaboration with the design team ensured full‑site modelling coverage, demonstrating compliance across all proposed uses.
- Leveraging our deep understanding of the London Plan, we ensured both schemes met Air Quality Neutral requirements and aligned with the expectations of Policy SI 1.
- A detailed Construction Dust Risk Assessment identified targeted mitigation measures to minimise construction‑phase impacts.
Because the developments were targeting BREEAM UK New Construction (Residential), Arthian proactively expanded the scope of support to strengthen the client’s sustainability strategy:
- Guidance on achieving Indoor Air Quality credits
- Early‑stage input on Life Cycle Assessment
- Technical support for Flood Risk Assessment requirements
- Technical support and early-stage input for Acoustic BREEAM credits
This integrated approach reduced future design risk, improved documentation readiness, and ensured the client benefitted from a cohesive, forward‑looking environmental strategy.
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