Air Quality

The Council is responsible for:

• Monitoring air quality in the District
• Managing local air quality
• Regulating scheduled industrial processes
• Investigating complaints about air pollution

Air Quality Reviews

The Environment Act 1995 requires all Local Authorities to undertake regular reviews of air quality. This is to ensure targets set by the Government on key pollutants are met. Reports, available in the downloads area to the right, detail the outcome of review and assessment in Hart District.

Air Quality Monitoring Stations

Live air quality data is available from the continuous monitoring stations in Hook and Blackwater by using the air-quality.net link in the useful websites section on the right.

You can also check out the nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in your area by clicking on the downloads to the right.

Clean Air Act approval

The Clean Air Act 1993 introduced a wide range of regulations such as those which control smoke emissions from trade premises and the height of chimneys, and those relating to the content and composition of motor fuels.

The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height of a chimney.

Under section 14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to approval adhered to, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuel
• burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter or
• burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter

An application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.

The local authority must consider an application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between us and the applicant that a longer period is allowed. If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification is given.

Updating and Screening Assessment 2006

Hart District Council has a statutory duty to review and assess levels of air quality across its district. Assessment is made on a rolling programme in respect of 7 key pollutants prescribed in legislation.

Hart has recently received approval from DEFRA in respect of its 2006 ‘Updating and Screening Assessment Report’. The report concluded that air quality objectives for all 7 key pollutants are currently being met at all locations across the District. The report can be downloaded here,

• Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment 2006