Kitchen Odour Assessment
What It Is
A Kitchen Odour Assessment evaluates the effectiveness of odour control systems in commercial kitchens, restaurants, and food outlets. It is often required by local authorities as part of planning or licensing applications to ensure that cooking odours are managed and do not cause nuisance to neighbouring properties or the public.
Why It Matters — Risks Without It
- ❌ Planning refusal or licensing issues if odour control is not demonstrated
- ⚠️ Complaints and potential enforcement under statutory nuisance laws
- 📣 Negative publicity or reputational harm from dissatisfied neighbours
- 🧾 Increased costs if retrofitting of extraction and filtration systems is required
What’s Measured
- Cooking odour emissions from kitchen extract systems
- Effectiveness of odour abatement measures (e.g. carbon filters, electrostatic precipitators, UV systems)
- Proximity and sensitivity of receptors (e.g. nearby residents, offices, schools)
- Compliance with DEFRA guidance on control of odour and noise from commercial kitchen exhaust systems
How It Works
- Site Visit: Inspect extraction systems, ducting, and abatement technologies.
- Assessment: Apply DEFRA and local authority guidance to evaluate odour control requirements.
- Monitoring: Measure odour levels and system performance if required.
- Recommendations: Provide practical solutions to improve or upgrade systems.
- Reporting: Issue a compliance-ready report for planning or licensing submission.
Who It’s For
- 🍴 Restaurant and takeaway owners
- 🏢 Commercial kitchen operators in hotels, schools, and hospitals
- 🏗️ Developers and architects including kitchens in new builds
- 🌍 Local authorities reviewing odour complaints or planning applications
What You Get
- 📄 A kitchen odour assessment report aligned with DEFRA and planning guidance
- 📊 Clear evaluation of extraction and abatement system effectiveness
- 🧠 Expert advice on odour control upgrades and mitigation
- ✅ Evidence to secure planning approval and avoid complaints
Control odours, protect your reputation: A Kitchen Odour Assessment ensures effective extraction and compliance with local authority requirements.
