In anticipation of a Cabinet meeting on 13th January, BCP Council has published the Dorset Heathlands Interim Air Quality Strategy. If supported by Cabinet, it will proceed to Full Council on 23rd February.
The aim of the strategy is to address the adverse effects of airborne nitrogen and ammonia upon the Dorset Heathlands. Housing development is one of several contributing sources, as new residents travel by car. Until cars become emission free in 2030, mitigation will be required in the form of Community Infrastructure Levy funding and bespoke planning obligations. Speaking on the publication of the document, Brett Spiller, director at Chapman Lily, commented that ‘it is encouraging to see both Dorset Council and BCP Council being proactive about the impacts of air quality on European protected sites. Natural England has objected to several major planning applications in recent months, so without a mitigation strategy in place, there would be a serious risk to the delivery of housing across the county’.
If you would like to know more about the implications of the Dorset Heathlands Interim Air Quality Strategy, feel free to contact Chapman Lily Planning.