This project in Derby city centre was initially refused planning permission on air quality grounds in September 2019. The refusal was on the basis that proposed development would result in the creation of a street canyon effect; restricting dispersion and resulting in unacceptable impacts at nearby receptors.

Our air quality team worked closely with the client, planning consultant and architect to assess the improvement in air quality terms which could be achieved by increasing the distance between the façade of the proposed building and the adjacent road. This was an iterative process undertaken using specialist dispersion modelling software and resulted in a redesign of the scheme that, whilst significantly reducing the impact on local air quality, also remained commercially viable.