Air Quality Neutral & Positive Assessments

Air Quality Neutral and Air Quality Positive Assessments UK (London Plan) for Benchmarks, Mitigation and Policy Compliance

Air Quality Neutral and Air Quality Positive assessments support developments that must demonstrate compliance with London Plan Guidance and local policy expectations for minimising emissions and exposure. These assessments focus on quantifying emissions from buildings and transport, comparing performance against published benchmarks, and defining mitigation to achieve Air Quality Neutral requirements and, where applicable, Air Quality Positive outcomes. A robust submission is clear, evidence-led and directly aligned to planning validation requirements.

When These Assessments Are Required

Air Quality Neutral and/or Air Quality Positive work is typically required where:

• A development is in London (or a borough applying London Plan requirements) and must meet Air Quality Neutral benchmarks
• A large-scale development or masterplan triggers Air Quality Positive expectations and statements
• Planners require quantified evidence on building and transport emissions performance
• Mitigation needs to be defined, secured by condition, and demonstrated as deliverable
• There is high sensitivity due to existing poor air quality and receptor exposure risk

Purpose of the Service

The purpose is to demonstrate policy compliance clearly and reduce planning risk. These submissions show that emissions have been minimised through design (energy strategy, plant selection, logistics and travel planning) and that exposure has been considered and improved where required.

How the Assessment Is Used in Practice

In practice, planning delays occur when emissions benchmarks are not calculated correctly, when mitigation is vague, or when evidence does not match London Plan Guidance requirements. A good assessment provides transparent inputs, clear benchmark comparison, and a defined mitigation pathway that can be conditioned and delivered.

Scope and Typical Outputs

Where a wider planning assessment is required, see Air Quality Assessments.

• Building emissions assessment aligned to benchmark methodology (energy strategy and plant emissions)
• Transport emissions assessment aligned to benchmark methodology (trip generation, mode share and emissions)
• Mitigation strategy (design changes, plant specification, EV/active travel, consolidation, delivery management)
• Exposure reduction measures where needed (layout, ventilation intake placement, filtration strategy)
• Planning statement outputs suitable for submission and condition wording support

Standards, Guidance and Planning Context

These assessments are aligned to London Plan Guidance for Air Quality Neutral and Air Quality Positive. Requirements can vary by borough, so scope is tailored to local validation lists and officer expectations.

What the Service Delivers

• A clear Air Quality Neutral assessment with benchmark comparison and conclusions
• An Air Quality Positive statement/assessment where required by scale and policy
• Defined mitigation measures with deliverable actions and planning-ready wording
• Support for planning queries and iteration where required

Who This Is For

• Developers and planning consultants working under London Plan requirements
• Architects and design teams needing emissions and exposure-led mitigation
• Masterplan and strategic development teams needing Air Quality Positive outputs

Limitations and Scope

Outputs depend on the quality of transport and energy inputs. Early coordination with project teams improves accuracy and avoids late-stage rework.