4. National Policy and Practice

4.1 National Planning Policy Framework

4.1 National planning policy is set by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The current NPPF places a general presumption in favour of sustainable development, stressing the importance of local development plans. Air quality is a material consideration in the planning process, in line with the following paragraphs of the NPPF:

174. Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by [...]:

e) preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans;

186. Planning policies and decisions should sustain and contribute towards compliance with relevant limit values or national objectives for pollutants, taking into account the presence of Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones, and the cumulative impacts from individual sites in local areas. Opportunities to improve air quality or mitigate impacts should be identified, such as through traffic and travel management, and green infrastructure provision and enhancement. So far as possible these opportunities should be considered at the plan-making stage, to ensure a strategic approach and limit the need for issues to be reconsidered when determining individual applications. Planning decisions should ensure that any new development in Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones is consistent with the local air quality action plan.

4.2 The following paragraphs recognise the impact of traffic on air quality and health and the benefits of sustainable transport modes:

104. Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, so that: [...]

d) the environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure can be identified, assessed and taken into account - including appropriate opportunities for avoiding and mitigating any adverse effects, and for net environmental gains; [...]

107. If setting local parking standards for residential and non-residential development, policies should take into account: [...]

e) the need to ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles.