Decision details

This report proposes a boundary for a new air quality management area in Farrington Gurney following a formal public consultation exercise.

The Cabinet Member agrees the proposed Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) boundary, which has been derived from the monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in Farrington Gurney and through a public consultation.

The Council has a statutory obligation under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to declare an Air Quality Management Area where objectives have been exceeded. The proposed Air Quality Management Area is outlined in Appendix 2. This area includes an area along the A37 through Farrington Gurney which exceeds the 40 µg/m3 annual average objective for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) concentrations; as annual averages of 42 µg/m3, 52 µg/m3 and 54 µg/m3 were recorded at the three exceeding diffusion tube locations in 2017.

(1)  Not to declare an Air Quality Management Area. This is not a viable option as the Council would be in breach of its duty under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.

(2)  To declare the original Air Quality Management Area, which does not incorporate any part of the A362. This option is ruled out due to the views of the public which emerged during the consultation period.