Air quality
We are required to assess the air quality in Peterborough as part of the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 legislation. Air pollutants such as benzene, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, industry emissions and sulphur dioxide are investigated.
The investigation process is undertaken in a series of stages by using an updating and screening assessment of air quality which are produced every three years. An updating and screening assessment of air quality identifies the pollution levels within Peterborough. In between these publications, progress reports are produced which highlight any changes which might have occurred over the previous year.
Should any pollutants be suspected or shown to be above the objective level, we shall undertake a detailed assessment. If the detailed assessment shows that there is an area which exceeds the relevant air quality objective. then we shall declare an air quality management area.
Currently, we have declared one air quality management area which can be viewed on the attached documents.
Further information on how pollutants are monitored and controlled can be found on the DEFRA website.
Smoke control areas
Peterborough has a number of smoke control areas, and it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney within these areas, however there are exempt appliances and authorised fuels that may be used in these zones.
Contaminated land
Industrial activity (present or previous) may have had an impact on the condition of land and some contamination may be present.
We are required to inspect to identify contaminated land. Where land is identified, we must make the determination that land is 'contaminated' as defined in the Act and arrange for it to be cleaned up.
Contaminated land development
The majority of potentially contaminated sites will be dealt with by redevelopment through the planning system. Planning applications are assessed against available information and recommendations are made whether a contaminated land condition is required. There is also liaison with the planning department, developers and their agents to ensure that contaminated land conditions are discharged.
Due to the complex and technical nature there are guidance notes for applications, developers, land owners and consultants provided by Gov.uk website.
Conveyancing
Environmental searches are becoming common place during the process of buying and selling of land and properties.
The introduction of the Part IIA legislation has resulted in an increased awareness amongst mortgage lenders of possible liabilities associated with contaminated land.
Consequently, it has become increasingly common for solicitors and conveyancers to undertake a third party environmental search when arranging the transaction of land or property.
The aim of these searches is to help identify whether a site or property already is, or may in the future, be determined as Statutory Contaminated Land by the Council under Part IIA.
Peterborough City Council has adopted a policy of charging for requests for information with relation to contaminated land. The charge for this service is currently £285.
Please contact pollutioncontrol@peterborough.gov.uk to outline your requirements and the address of the premises for enquiry. You will then be contacted with details of how to make a payment so that your enquiry may be thereupon progressed.
Environment permitting
Some industrial processes could harm the environment or human health unless the emissions from them are controlled. Local authorities are responsible for permitting and controlling specified industrial installations in order to regulate their environmental impact and emissions to air.
- Industrial installations are regulated under the Local Pollution Prevention and Control Regime (LAPPC)
- The Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 is statutory guidance which details which installations are legally required to obtain a permit to operate
- Permitting procedures can be found in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website.
Sites that are regulated are issued with an environmental permit which specifies conditions for minimizing and controlling emissions to air. The permit holder has a legal duty to comply with the conditions in their permit and failure to comply can lead to enforcement action. Installations are risk assessed and regular compliance inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with conditions.
We hold a public register for the sites that we regulate, which is published biannually.
New applications for the public register
We have received a new Application for Taylor Wimpey Manufacturing - Part B Application. We invite comments from the public on this application. The closing date for comments is 24 December 2024. Please click the link above to find the documents and contact details.
Open fires and wood burning stoves
Open fires and wood burning stoves have risen in popularity over recent years. This means we now have more smoke from chimneys which has a negative effect on air quality. This can also contribute to breathing problems such as asthma attacks and contribute to other health conditions.
Find out more about simple steps for those using wood burning stoves and open fires on how to reduce the environmental and health impacts:
- DEFRA guide on how to get the most from your stove or open fire - a guide to buying, storing and seasoning wood (opens PDF)
- DEFRA guide on open fires and wood-burning stoves (opens PDF)
- DEFRA guide - burn better, breathe better - reduce the negative impact your stove or open fire can have on your health
Clean Air Night campaign
Global Action Plan - the organisers of Clean Air Day, the UK's largest public engagement campaign on air pollution - are launching a new sister campaign to shine a light on the uncomfortable truth about wood burning.
Clean Air Night will bust key myths about wood burning by providing information to the public highlighting that wood burning is a significant source of air pollution that harms our health.
The campaign runs for four weeks, culminating in Clean Air Night on Wednesday 24 January 2024.
Find further information on Clean Air Night on the Air Quality News website.
Radon
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that you can't see, hear, feel or taste. It comes from the minute amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. Radon is dispersed in the air so levels are generally low.
More information about Radon, including maps of radon levels across the UK, advice and information for home owners, and testing for radiation can be obtained from Public Health England.
Contact pollution control
If you would like more information or to discuss any advice on issues mentioned within this page, please get in touch by contacting customer services.