DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

Strategic Context – Sources of relevant objectives and
goals
Local Plan Relevant
objectives and comment
UK Policy: Air Quality Strategy for England, UK Climate Change Programme,
National Planning Policy Framework
Regional/County Policy: Surrey (Partnership) Climate Change Strategy, Surrey
Transport Plan: Air Quality Strategy, Surrey Transport Plan: Climate Change
Strategy, Clearing the Air: The Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy
Local Policy: Runnymede’s Draft Air Quality Plan
European Law: European Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for
Europe, European Directive relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air
UK Law: The Environment Act, The Air Quality (England) Regulations, The Air
Quality Standards Regulations, Clean Air Act
International
environment and quality of life.
Comment: The objective gives an
opportunity to enable the plan to
take steps to meet its other
objectives in ways that address
development related air pollution
problems and enhance local air
quality.
Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (“Air Quality Directive”)
9.4 The “Air Quality Directive” merged most of the previous EU air quality legislation into a single
directive (except for the fourth daughter directive). The directive sets legally binding limits
(based on WHO guidelines) for concentrations in outdoor air of major air pollutants that
impact human health and the environment. These limit values comprise a concentration
value for the pollutant, an averaging period over which it is measured and the date by which
the limit values are to be achieved.
Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons in ambient air (Fourth Daughter Directive)
9.5 The Fourth Daughter Directive completes the list of pollutants described in the “Air Quality
Directive”. Target values for all pollutants except mercury are defined for the listed
substances. The only monitoring requirements are specified for mercury.
The Sixth Environment Action Programme 2002‐2012 "Environment 2010: Our Future, Our Choice"
9.6 The Sixth Environment Action Programme adopted seven thematic strategies including air
pollution, which are based on a global approach, by theme. The Air Pollution Thematic
Strategy of the Programme sets objectives for air pollution and proposes measures for
achieving them by 2020: modernising the existing legislation, placing the emphasis on the
most harmful pollutants, and involving to a greater extent the sectors and policies that may
have an impact on air pollution.
National
Environment Act (1995)
9.7 This act established the Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency
and associated obligations.
The Air Quality (England) Regulations (2000), as amended by the Air Quality (England)
(Amendment) Regulations (2002)
9.8 The requirement by local authorities to carry out regular reviews and assessment of air
quality in their area against standards and objectives.
The Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010)
9.9 The “Air Quality Directive” has been transposed into English law by the Air Quality Standards
Regulations 2010. These Regulations include criteria for determining how achievement with
the limit values should be assessed, including consideration of locations and relevant
exposure.
Clean Air Act (1993)
9.10 This act controls smoke emissions.
The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2007)
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