Other Related Services

Aether also provides other services related to the planning process:

  • Air quality diffusion tube monitoring
  • Air quality neutral assessments
  • Low emission strategy and damage cost assessments
  • Advice on mitigating the impacts of the construction phase
  • Acoustics and noise assessments 

Air quality monitoring

Where air quality modelling is inappropriate or inconclusive, Aether can conduct diffusion tube surveys. 

Diffusion tubes are a simple way of monitoring nitrogen dioxide concentrations that allow a number of sites to be monitored over 6 months or a longer time period.

This is beneficial compared to automatic monitors, which are expensive to set up and run. The results can then be used to evaluate exposure to air pollution at relevant locations and appropriate mitigation put in place if required. 

Air quality neutral assessments

New major developments within Greater London are required to be at least ‘air quality neutral’ and not lead to further deterioration of existing poor air quality. Building and transport emission benchmarks have been developed and developments must meet these benchmarks or implement mitigation measures to reduce emissions either on or off site.

Aether can undertake air quality neutral assessments either as stand-alone reports or as part of an air quality assessment.

Low emission strategy assessments

LES assessments are an alternative or addition to conducting a traditional air quality assessment and they assess the air quality pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions arising from buildings and vehicles both pre and post development.

Aether has undertaken LES assessments for a wide variety of customers and clients.

Advice on mitigating the impacts of the construction phase

Emissions and dust from the construction phase of a development can have a significant impact on local air quality. Guidance has been developed to determine the significance of the impact. In addition, the Mayor of London has introduced standards to reduce emissions of pollutants from construction and demolition activity and associated equipment. Aether can provide construction dust impact advice as part of an air quality assessment report. 

Noise assessments

Aether works with associates that can provide acoustics and noise assessments in the area surrounding your site. Noise measurements are taken over a 24 hours period using a calibrated sound meter. The acoustic consultants are Members of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), and can undertake environmental noise assessments for planning purposes. This includes liaising with both the client and local authority officers in order to determine the assessment requirements, enabling a fast turnaround of reports that adhere to best practice guidance.

Case studies

Residential Air Quality Assessment, Dartford

A case study of the Air Quality Assessments Aether delivers for residential developments, here for a proposed development in Dartford.

Air quality monitoring

Aether was commissioned by Berkeley Homes to undertake an air quality assessment for the proposed installation of gas fired boilers at 250 City Road.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it...

“If we have a need for any more reports in the future Aether will be first on my list.”

Alan Hardy, Kyson Design

“Chris was excellent to work with and always very pro active in making suggestions, taking work forward and applying his considerable technical knowledge in effective ways.”

Robert Vaughan, Defra Air Quality Team

“A heartfelt thank you to all the Aether team for this very comprehensive review – this is certainly turning out to be one of the most beneficial capacity building projects I have ever been involved in.”

Saviour Vassallo, Senior Environment Protection Officer, Malta Resources Authority

“Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“The professional service provided by your company was of very high quality and completed within agreed timelines.”

Matthew Dudley, UNFCCC Secretariat

“It is always an absolute pleasure working with Aether. I always know what is expected of me. Their work ethic is of a very high standard and projects are always handled in a very professional manner. I have learnt many skills in terms of project management, quality control and workshop training styles from Aether and I hope to carry these principles forward in my own work. I look forward to collaborating with Aether more in the future.”

Luanne Stevens, Gondwana

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional. Where there were problems, they provided solutions. The team were working to very short time scales but were able to deliver a high quality piece of work within the specified time frame.”

Sefton Council - for the Merseyside Atmospheric Emissions Inventory

“Engaging Aether to support us to develop the first GHG Inventory System and first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the United Republic of Tanzania has been a rewarding experience due to their high level of professionalism, creativity, timeliness and value for money. We will definitely consider Aether in our future initiatives.”

Abbas Kitogo, Programme Specialist Energy and Climate Change, UNDP Tanzania

“I must congratulate each of you for your professional and tireless efforts. Let me point out that this has been the 'neatest' in-country review expert review team I have coordinated, and it has been a real pleasure.”

UNFCCC Secretariat

“Aether was a great asset in involving/engaging with Member States experts on highly technical subjects regarding GHG reporting. Very clear communication of issues and results.”

Andreas Pilzecker, DG CLIMA

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