All Posts

There's a quiet revolution happening in how we think about new developments. For years, the bar was set at "do no harm" – don't make air quality worse than it already is. But increasingly, particularly in London, planners are asking a more ambitious question: can new development actually improve the air we breathe? That's the thinking behind Air Quality Positive design, and it's changing how architects, developers, and engineers approach large-scale projects. What Does Air Qu

When you've lived through a flood, you never forget it. The smell of damp that lingers for months, the endless phone calls with insurance companies, the sight of your belongings piled on the pavement. But what if there was a way to bounce back faster – or even stop some of that damage happening in the first place? That's where property flood resilience comes in. Understanding Property Flood Resilience Property flood resilience (often shortened to PFR) refers to the modificati

If you're planning construction, demolition, or major earthworks, you've probably been told you need an Air Quality Dust Risk Assessment. Commonly referred to as an AQDRA, this document has become a standard requirement for most development sites across the UK – and for good reason. Construction dust isn't just a nuisance; it affects public health, damages property, and can cause serious ecological harm if not properly controlled. Getting the AQDRA right matters. A poor asses

If you're planning development in London, you've probably encountered the term "air quality neutral" and wondered what it actually involves. The short answer? Every development in Greater London now needs to demonstrate it won't make air pollution worse. The slightly longer answer is that getting this wrong can derail your planning application, so it's worth understanding what's required. Air quality neutral is a London Plan policy designed to prevent the incremental worsenin

If you've recently been told your development needs "SuDS", you're probably wondering what on earth that means and why nobody can just use normal drainage anymore. Fair question. The answer's actually more straightforward than you'd think, though getting it right takes a bit more effort than just connecting to the nearest sewer. SuDS stands for Sustainable Drainage Systems – essentially a way of managing rainwater that works with nature rather than fighting against it. And wh

Let's be honest – nobody wakes up excited about flood risk assessments. But if you're buying a property, planning a development, or your architect's just mentioned something about "fluvial flooding", you're probably realising this isn't something you can ignore. The question isn't really whether flood risk matters. It's whether you need a flood risk consultant to help you deal with it, or if there's a simpler route. Here's what you need to know. What Does a Flood Risk Consult

If you're managing a construction project, planning a new development, or trying to get your head around local air quality regulations, you've probably wondered whether bringing in air quality consultants is really necessary. The short answer? It depends on what you're trying to achieve and how much risk you're willing to take on. Here's the thing: air quality assessment isn't something you can wing. Get it wrong and you're looking at planning delays, enforcement action, or w