HL2 — Air quality.

1. Developers will be required to effectively manage the impact of their proposals on air quality. Major developments must comply with the requirements of the Air Quality SPD for Air Quality Impact Assessments (AQIAs); 2. Development that would result in a worsening of the City’s nitrogen dioxide or PM10 and PM2.5 pollution levels will be strongly resisted; 3. All developments must be at least Air Quality Neutral. Developments subject to an EIA should adopt an air quality positive approach. Major developments must maximise credits for the pollution section of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment relating to on-site emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx); 4. Developers will be expected to install non-combustion energy technology where available; 5. A detailed AQIA will be required for combustion based low carbon technologies (e.g. biomass, combined heat and power), and any necessary mitigation must be approved by the City Corporation; 6. Developments that include uses that are more vulnerable to air pollution, such as schools, nurseries, medical facilities and residential development, will be refused if the occupants would be exposed to poor air quality. Developments will need to ensure acceptable air quality through appropriate design, layout, landscaping and technological solutions; City Plan 2040 | Shaping the Future City fety 7. Construction and deconstruction and the transport of construction materials and waste must be carried out in such a way as to minimise air quality impacts to the fullest extent posible. Impacts from these activities must be addressed within submitted AQIAs. All developments should comply with the requirements of the London Low Emission Zone for Non Road Mobile Machinery; 8. Air intake points should be located away from existing and potential pollution sources (e.g. busy roads and combustion flues). All combustion flues should terminate above the roof height of the tallest part of the development to ensure maximum dispersion of pollutants and be at least 3 metres away from any publicly accessible roof spaces. Reason for the policy 3.3.0 Due to its location at the heart of London and the density of development, the City of London has high levels of air pollution. Poor air quality can harm human health, particularly for young people while their lungs are developing, and increase the incidence of cardiovascular and lung disease. The City, in common with all central London, has been declared an Air Quality Management Area, due to national health-based objectives for the pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and small particles (PM10) not being met. National targets for PM2.5 are also not met. Health, Inclusion & Saf 3.3.1 The City Corporation is working with a wide range of organisations to address this problem and levels of NO2 are falling, although the health-based limits are still not met everywhere in the Square Mile. The City Corporation’s Air Quality Strategy aims to ensure that air quality in over 90% of the Square Mile meets the health-based Limit Values and World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for NO2 by the beginning of 2025. Limits set for particulate matter (PM10) are generally met although the national target for PM2.5 is not met anywhere in the City. The Air Quality Strategy aims to support the Mayor of London to meet the tighter WHO Guidelines for PM10 and PM2.5 by 2030. 3.3.2 The City Corporation’s Transport Strategy contains proposals to reduce air pollution associated with road traffic in the Square Mile. While the main source of pollutants in the City has historically been road transport, buildings now account for over half of NOx emissions arising in the City. Tackling poor air quality requires a broad range of actions, including reducing traffic congestion and supporting low emission vehicles, reducing emissions associated with combustion-based heating and cooling systems, and limiting emissions linked with demolition and construction. The addition of green space and planting on and around buildings and within the public realm can help to trap particulate pollution. How the policy works 3.3.3 The City Corporation’s Air Quality Strategy provides detailed information on the air quality issues facing the City and actions being pursued by the City Corporation and a range of partners to improve air quality. The Air Quality SPD sets out specific guidance for developers on the City Corporation’s requirements for reducing air pollution from developments within the Square Mile. City Plan 2040 | Shaping the Future City fety The City Corporation’s Code of Practice for Deconstruction and Construction Sites and the Mayor’s Control of Dust and Emissions during Construction and Demolition SPG provide guidance on procedures to be adopted to minimise the impacts of demolition and construction activities on air quality. 3.3.4 Developers will be required to manage the impact of their proposals on air quality, which should, as a minimum, be air quality neutral. Large-scale developments that are subject to EIA procedures should, in particular, propose methods of delivering an air quality positive approach which results in improvements to the City’s air quality. 3.3.5 Developers are expected to fully explore the use of non-combustion generators, though it is recognised that there are currently limited options for non-combustion generators. In the short term, alternatives to using diesel as a fuel for generators may be acceptable where non-combustion options are not available. Technological advances during the life of the Plan will create more opportunities to install non-combustion generators.

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