Planning Agreements to Fund Air Quality Monitoring

AQE 2013, the Air Quality and Emissions show (formerly ‘MCERTS’), taking place in Telford, UK, 13th/14th March, will include a Conference presentation by Ruth Fain, of Golder Associates, who will explain how local authorities can use Section 106 agreements with developers to fund air quality monitoring.

Achieving planning consent can be a complex process, which sometimes requires additional commitments from the developer in the form of Section 106 (Section 75 in Scotland) planning obligations. These agreements enable a local planning authority to enter into a legally-binding agreement with a developer to fund the monitoring of air quality in the affected area.

From a local authority’s perspective, these obligations can represent a vital element of the mitigation programme and may also be critical to the funding of such schemes.

Ruth’s presentation will look at why planning obligations are so important to local authorities, and explain how Section 106/75 agreements have successfully enabled air quality monitoring programmes to ensure that development does not have a detrimental effect on air quality.

The ambient air monitoring conference on Wednesday 13th March has been recognised by the IAQM as valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for its members and other air quality professionals.

The AQE 2013 show will hold two optional conferences (ambient air quality monitoring and industrial emissions to air) at a cost of £55 per day or £100 for both days. The show will also feature an international exhibition and over 50 walk-in/walk-out workshops. Parking, lunch, refreshments and access to the Exhibition and Workshops are free of charge to registered visitors - www.AQEshow.com.