THE WING DEVELOPMENT, CAMBRIDGE AIR QUALITY MITIGATION SCHEME
Background
The Wing development is a sustainable urban village on the north eastern fringe of Cambridge. The development includes up to 1,300 homes, a primary school, commercial units, community facilities, open spaces, landscaping and associated infrastructure.
Proposition
Miller Goodall was appointed to compile an air quality mitigation scheme to address the impacts on air quality arising from the development. The mitigation scheme was required to discharge a planning condition.
Investigation
We examined the South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) Local Development Framework and Supplementary Planning Guidance to ensure the mitigation scheme met SCDC requirements.
The emissions to air from road traffic associated with the development, including construction and operational traffic, were calculated using the DEFRA Emission Factors Toolkit. A cost damage calculation was then completed and a scheme of mitigation devised to offset the associated emissions. The mitigation scheme included embedded mitigation and recommended mitigation.
The embedded mitigation consisted of effective infrastructure design to promote sustainable modes of transport and a travel strategy, for example, cycle lanes and cycle storage as well as roads wide enough to accommodate buses.
The recommended mitigation included electric vehicle (EV) charging points for residential and commercial units to adhere to Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) guidance. Set requirements in accordance with IAQM guidance for combustion processes were also outlined. A travel plan was recommended for all new residents and staff within the development.
Action and outcome
The total damage cost associated with the development’s impact on local air quality over five years was calculated at £127,140.45. The cost of the proposed mitigation measures exceeded this. The scheme was submitted to SCDC and was approved, allowing discharge of the planning condition relating to air quality mitigation.
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Additional case studies: Air Quality Menu | Acoustic Menu
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