Air quality and dust

Overview

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, like other inner London authorities, has some of the worst air quality in the country.  It has been declared an Air Quality Management Area on the basis that some parts of the borough do not meet the national air quality objectives set for particulate matter (PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).  Local authorities have a statutory obligation to work towards these objectives and we need to help residents and businesses to do the same.

Recent studies have demonstrated that air quality and dust have a very large impact on public health in London.  This issue is therefore one of our priorities.  Developments and demolition sites are expected to meet the best possible standards for control of air pollution and dust to protect the health of on-site workers and members of public in the vicinity.

To understand how to do this, we would recommend reading the followings web pages, which explore:

• statutory guidance and best practice relating to air quality
• the Council's air quality requirements to accompany a planning application
• steps a builder should take to maintain air quality and minimise dust emissions
• pointers for residents if there is a problem