Our Services
Air Quality Assessment
An air quality assessment can be requested during planning where there are concerns over the exposure of the general public to elevated levels of dangerous pollutants.
At Vale we are experts in addressing these planning concerns and at providing robust, cost effective methods of assessing the potential environmental impacts as a result of air quality on new and existing human health receptors as well as taking into account ecological and amenity concerns. This can take the form of dispersion modelling of traffic emissions, exposure assessments and air quality surveys.
We always seek to find the best, most efficient, technical solutions to complex planning problems and always aim to provide the best possible result to our clients.
Construction Dust Assessment
Construction and demolition work has the potential to cause dust emissions as a result of on site processes for any scale of project. These emissions can be both harmful and a source of great nuisance to the surrounding community and as such the assessment and mitigation of construction dust is one of the most frequently required planning obligations on any development.
Vale have considerable experience in providing construction dust risk assessments to IAQM and LLAQM guidance including the outlining of appropriate, site specific mitigation measure and the production of dust elements for construction environmental management plans (CEMPs).
Air Quality Neutral & Emissions Damage Cost
Greater London Authority (GLA) guidance stipulates that all Developments should require an air quality neutral assessment. This assessment compares the project to a set of benchmarks and seeks to improve overall air quality in London.
Vale are happy to provide Air Quality Neutral Assessment to projects of any size and have considerable experience of the benchmarking process through our experience of working within the GLA jurisdiction.
Emissions damage cost calculations are often requested as a way of estimating the total effects of air pollution on local services as a direct result of their emissions. Their adoption with increasing frequency raises the potential for unexpected bills if not properly addressed.
We are able to provide a comprehensive emissions damage cost calculations for Developments and specialize in specifically costed mitigation measures that provide the best value for money while minimizing any financial risk to the project.
Stack Height Assessment
The air quality assessment of emissions from boilers, combined heat and power units (CHPs) and other energy generation projects for which the emissions to air are through a chimney or stack require stack height assessments to determine the appropriate structure size.
Vale Consulting have worked on a wide range of energy sector projects and appreciate the sensitive nature of this assessment where competing factors such as visual and ecological needs must also be considered in determining an appropriate emissions elevation. We are familiar with undertaking stack height assessments to IAQM and Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) guidance and always seek to provide the best, most cost efficient solution to our clients.
Environmental Impact Assessment
For larger scale projects, and those in the most sensitive of areas, we are able to provide the technical expertise required to address air quality as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
This includes the undertaking of the relevant assessment including detailing of methodologies and results in the relevant Environmental Statement (ES) chapter. Additional support can be provided in the form of technical input into both screening and scoping, non-technical summaries and support for the consideration of air quality impacts in other chapters and cumulative assessments.
For even larger projects, Vale also have experience delivering air quality input for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) in both energy and infrastructure.
Dispersion Modelling
Dispersion modelling is the go to approach for providing a quantitative assessment of air pollution levels either at, or as a result of a proposed Development. We have considerable experience in the dispersion modelling of traffic, stack and industrial emissions as well as in the field of odour dispersion modelling.
At Vale we use the industry standard Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System (ADMS) to help our clients predict, minimize and mitigate any air quality issues and ensure a smooth journey through the planning system.
Odour Assessment
Odour can be one of the most challenging obstacles to planning owing to the complex and highly subjective nature smells and the difficulty in obtaining accurate measurements.
All of our consultants at Vale have undertaken and completed an odour sensitivity test in line with BS EN13725:2022 and have been found to be within the acceptable range. Coupled with this we have extensive experience of undertaking odour sniff tests, EMAQ kitchen assessments and dispersion modelling of potential odour emissions and always seek to provide clients with a clear and simple resolution to this complex discipline.
Site Feasibility
Vale are additionally able to provide air quality input at the pre-planning stage as part of site suitability or feasibility assessments.
These quick and simple assessments can be invaluable in helping identify possible constraints and development hurdles as part of the planning process.
Environmental Permitting
Many energy projects require a post planning environmental permit to operate legally through programmes such as the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD).
We are experienced in providing the appropriate additional modelling and information to support permitting applications under both the Environment Agency (EA) and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) regimes.