Haddockston Golf Course Extension EIA Scoping Report

9 Local Air Quality
9.1 INTRODUCTION
9.1.1 This chapter considers the potentially significant issues associated with local air quality and identifies
whether further consideration will be required in addition to which, if necessary, appropriate methodology to be used
within the ES is identified.
9.1.2 Local maps have been used to identify whether there are any locations near to the site which are likely to be
sensitive to changes in local air quality.
9.1.3 Reference has been made to the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000 1 , the Air Quality (Scotland)
(Amendment) Regulations 2002 2 and the Air Quality Strategy (AQS) for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland (AQS) published in July 2007 3 .
9.2 LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE
Air Quality Strategy
9.2.1 The Government's policy on air quality within the UK is set out in the AQS. The AQS sets out a framework
for reducing hazards to health from air pollution in the UK.
9.2.2 The AQS sets objectives for 10 main air pollutants to protect health, vegetation and ecosystems. The
pollutants currently specified in the AQS are benzene (C6H6), 1,3 butadiene (C4H6), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10), particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Many of the objectives were made statutory in Scotland with the Air Quality
(Scotland) Regulations 2000 and the Air Quality (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.
9.2.3 The AQS published in 2007 replaces the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland (January 2000) and Addendum (February 2003). The majority of objectives set out in the previous version of
the AQS have been retained; however, the provisional objectives previously proposed for PM10 have been replaced in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a new framework for considering the effects of a finer group of particles
known as ‘PM2.5’. The introduction of this framework is based on increasing evidence that this size of particles can be
more closely associated with observed adverse health affects than PM10. For PM2.5 the objectives will take the form of
a limit value (‘backstop objective’) and an ‘exposure reduction’ target. Although a target for PM2.5 is included in the
AQS, there is currently no requirement for local authorities to assess this pollutant as part of their statutory obligations,
and there is insufficient information available regarding local background levels to enable accurate assessment at this
time.
9.2.4 Road traffic is a major source of NO2 and PM10 and concentrations of these pollutants tend to be close to the
Air Quality Objectives (AQO) in urban areas and near to busy roads. Given the nature of the proposed development
and the rural nature of its location , background NO2 and PM10 levels whilst anticipated to be the most relevant of the
air quality objectives are not anticipated to be of high ambient concentrations which considered within the context of
the target concentrations set within the AQS and LAQM. .
Local Air Quality Management
9.2.5 Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to periodically review the quality of air within
their area, with the aim of meeting the AQO by the years defined in the amended Regulations. Where any of the
AQO are not likely to be achieved, the authority concerned must designate that part of its area an Air Quality
Management Area (AQMA).
9.2.6 Renfrewshire Council have only one declared AQMA within their area on Central Road in Paisley. This lies
well outwith the potential zone of influence of this development proposal.
Control of dust and particles associated with construction
1 The Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000 – Statutory Instrument 2000 No.97
2 The Air Quality (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 – Statutory Instrument 2002 No.297
3 The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Volumes 1 and 2) – July 2007.
12151856-001 Haddockston Golf Course Extension 23