Air quality
We are committed to maintaining good air quality for good health and will continue to pursue further improvements where possible.
Air quality in urban and rural areas are constantly at risk by pollution from human activities. Emissions to air from industry are regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Clean Air acts.
We monitor for nitrogen dioxide from vehicles and industry using diffusion tube monitoring sites across the borough. We take proactive measures to tackling particulate matter and sulphur dioxide via smoke control areas, planning requirements, permitting processes and general air pollution regulatory activities under the Clean Air Act.
These acts require that certain industrial and commercial premises are authorised. Information on these processes are kept on a public register at the Council.
Air quality annual status report
We produce an Annual Status Report on air quality which you can download below:
Download the 2023 Air Quality Annual Status Report
Download the 2022 Air Quality Annual Status Report
Download the 2021 Air Quality Annual Status Report
Download the 2020 Air Quality Annual Status Report
Download the 2019 Air Quality Annual Status Report
Air Quality and Planning
Commercial furnaces require approval from us as the Local Authority. This is required if they:
- Burn pulverised fuel
- Burn solid matter at a rate of 45.5 kg or more an hour
- Burn liquid or gaseous matter at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kw
Please contact us to request the relevant information required.
Further information will be required for new (non-domestic) chimney stacks. Contact us for more information regarding chimney height approval and if a full D1 Chimney Height Calculation is required.
At the planning stage, given the size and location we will require a Biomass Boiler Information Request form to be completed. Contact us to request the relevant form.
You will need an environmental permit from the Council if the boiler is using fuel from natural sources (e.g. wood pellets) and has a rated thermal input of 20 to 50 mw. Or if the boiler is burning waste or waste-derived biomass, and has an aggregate capacity of 50kg or more per hour. Contact us to request the relevant form.
In general, the environmental permit you need depends on the type and amount of fuel you’re burning and therefore will determine who the regulator is. More information on preventing air pollution is here.
If you operate a regulated facility you may require an environmental permit .
Other useful information
You may also want to read through our advice on wood burning stoves and open fires , as well as the need for environmental permits .
