top of page
Air & Flood Consultants

Air Quality Neutral Assessment

London Plan Policy SI 1

What is Air Quality Neutral?

Air Quality Neutral (AQN) is a planning requirement under London Plan Policy SI 1 that ensures new developments do not contribute to worsening air quality in London. All major development proposals must demonstrate that they meet Air Quality Neutral standards or implement appropriate mitigation measures.

​

The policy recognises that new buildings and the transport they generate are significant sources of air pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. By setting benchmarks based on best practice, the policy encourages developers to design low-emission developments that protect public health and meet London's air quality objectives.

The Two Components

Air Quality Neutral assessments have two separate requirements, and you need to meet both:

​

1. Building Emissions Benchmark (BEB) This covers emissions from heating and energy systems within buildings. The benchmark emission rates vary depending on:

  • Land use type (residential, offices, retail, etc.)

  • Heating system (gas boilers, heat networks, CHP, heat pumps, or 100% electric)

Developments using 100% electric heating systems (like air source heat pumps or direct electric heating) produce zero on-site NOx emissions and automatically meet the Building Emissions Benchmark.

​

2. Transport Emissions Benchmark (TEB) This covers emissions from private vehicle trips generated by the development. The benchmark trip rates vary depending on:

  • Land use type (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.)

  • Location (Central Activities Zone, Inner London, or Outer London)

Developments must show that predicted car trip generation doesn't exceed the benchmark levels. This pushes towards sustainable transport solutions, reduced car parking provision, and good public transport accessibility.

Air Quality Neutral (AQN) is a planning requirement under London Plan Policy SI 1 that makes sure new developments don't make air quality worse across London. All major development proposals need to show they meet Air Quality Neutral standards or put in place proper mitigation measures.

​

The policy recognises that new buildings and the transport they generate are major sources of air pollution, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. By setting benchmarks based on best practice, it pushes developers towards designing low-emission developments that protect public health and meet London's air quality objectives.

How to Use This Calculator

Step 1: Building Emissions Assessment

  1. Select Land Use: Choose the primary use of your development (residential, offices, retail, etc.)

  2. Select Heating System Type: Choose from:

    • Individual gas boilers

    • Gas boiler network

    • CHP + gas boiler network

    • Heat pumps + gas boiler network

    • 100% Electric (automatically meets BEB)

  3. Enter Gross Internal Area (GIA): Input the total floor area in square metres (m²)

  4. Enter Annual Energy Usage: For gas-based systems, input the total annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) from your energy strategy

  5. Enter NOx Emission Rate: Input the emission rate in milligrams per kilowatt-hour (mg/kWh). For modern gas boilers, this is typically 40 mg/kWh

The calculator will work out:

  • Benchmark emission rate for your development

  • Total benchmark emissions (BEB)

  • Total predicted emissions

  • Compliance status

Building Emissions (BEB)

Benchmark Rate:

—

BEB Total:

Predicted Total:

—

Status:

—

Enter data
Overall Air Quality Neutral Status
AWAITING DATA
Please enter all required values to assess Air Quality Neutral compliance.

Step 3: Review Overall Status The calculator displays the overall Air Quality Neutral status at the bottom:

  • COMPLIANT: Development meets both Building and Transport Emissions Benchmarks. No mitigation required

  • NON-COMPLIANT: Development exceeds one or both benchmarks. Mitigation or offsetting measures required

 

Important Notes

When 100% Electric Heating is Used Developments using all-electric heating systems with no combustion (like air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, or direct electric heating) have zero on-site NOx emissions. These automatically pass the Building Emissions Benchmark.

​

If Benchmarks Aren't Met Where a development can't meet one or both benchmarks, the London Plan requires:

  1. Mitigation measures to reduce emissions, such as:

    • Improved heating system efficiency

    • Ultra-low emission boilers

    • Reduced car parking provision

    • Enhanced cycling and walking facilities

    • Car club membership for residents

    • Travel planning measures

  2. Offsetting payments if suitable mitigation can't be achieved. These funds contribute to local air quality improvement projects

 

Data Sources

  • Building emissions data: Obtained from your energy strategy and M&E consultant

  • Transport trip rates: Obtained from your Transport Assessment prepared by transport consultants

  • Benchmark values: Based on GLA Air Quality Neutral London Plan Guidance (February 2023)

 

Professional Advice

This calculator provides an initial assessment tool. For formal planning submissions, air quality assessments should be prepared by qualified air quality consultants in line with the GLA's detailed guidance.

​

Guidance Documents

This calculator is based on the following official guidance:

  • Air Quality Neutral London Plan Guidance (GLA, February 2023)

  • London Plan Policy SI 1: Improving Air Quality

  • Local Air Quality Management Technical Guidance (Defra)

​

For comprehensive guidance on Air Quality Neutral assessments, refer to the GLA's Air Quality Neutral London Plan Guidance available at london.gov.uk

​

Questions or Technical Support

If you need help with air quality assessments, energy strategies, or transport assessments for your development, please consult with qualified environmental consultants, energy consultants, or transport planning specialists who know their way around London Plan requirements.

Step 2: Transport Emissions Assessment

  1. Select Land Use: This syncs with your building land use selection. Adjust if you've got specific transport land use requirements

  2. Select Location: Choose your development's location:

    • Central Activities Zone (CAZ)

    • Inner London (excluding CAZ)

    • Outer London

  3. Enter Quantity:

    • For residential developments: Enter the number of dwellings/units

    • For all other land uses: Enter the Gross Internal Area in m²

  4. Enter Predicted Annual Car Trips: Input the total number of car trips per annum from your Transport Assessment

The calculator will work out:

  • Benchmark trip rate for your development

  • Total benchmark trips (TEB)

  • Total predicted trips

  • Compliance status

Transport Emissions (TEB)

Quantity (number of dwellings)

Enter number of dwellings/units

Benchmark Rate:

TEB Total:

Predicted Total:

Status:

—

—

—

Enter data
bottom of page