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...

“Saint Lucia embraces the professional approach with which this project was undertaken by Aether, particularly their ability to develop mentorship relations with local government experts. This provides a basis for ensuring that the pool of local experts remain engaged and recognized over successive processes.”

Annette Rattigan-Leo, Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer

“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

“The support provided by Aether for this project was especially remarkable considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tools and methods used in order to engage local stakeholders really added value to the capacity building of the national team.”

Shanna Emmanuel, Saint Lucia BUR Project Coordinator

“Aether's approach to couple innovative visualisation with high expertise manpower delivered valuable insights for our inventory work.”

Umweltbundesamt (Germany)

“We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“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

“Professional team and very collaborative communication. Effective result in terms of suggestions for improvement in the quality of the inventory and proposals on how to streamline specific topics.”

Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research

“Aether is a great partner for work in the area of European Air Emissions. The team was committed, reliable, well organised and had a deep technical understanding and motivated other partners with their good spirit.”

Umweltbundesamt: Environment Agency Austria

“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

“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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