Agenda item

The report was presented by Adam Dracott, Team Leader for Environmental Protection, to update Members on the Council’s Annual Status Report on Air Quality and highlight the Air Quality Programme across the District. The Committee were recommended to endorse the approach of the Council on Air Quality Management.

The Team Leader for Environmental Protection summarised the findings of the report, which relate to the 2020 data sets. He emphasised the importance of working with colleagues at West Sussex County Council as the Highways Authority, noting the schedule and current actions from the Air Quality Management action plan, specifically in relation to the work at Stonepound Crossroads. 

The Team Leader for Environmental Protection advised that as a result of lockdowns during the Pandemic, pollution drastically reduced, particularly levels of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during 2020. Therefore, when considering the data for 2021 in the next report, it was important to consider this when making decisions on the Air Quality Management areas. He concluded the air quality in the Mid Sussex District area is generally good, remaining in line with objectives and steadily improving. He noted further investigation was underway at a site on London Road, East Grinstead and the project was underway to install a real-time air quality monitoring station, anticipated for installation in the summer.

A Member thanked the Team Leader and officers for their hard work on Air Quality Management and for producing such a concise report. He noted the site on London Road, East Grinstead and thanked the Team Leader for advising when the real-time air quality monitoring station was due to be installed.

A Member raised concerns regarding the same site and the impact of additional housing under the Site Allocations SA 19 and 20. Discussion was also held around the Air Quality Management scheme in relation to the District Plan proposals.

The Team Leader noted that the District Plan has enabled the Council to embed policies on transportation and pollution. He also confirmed that the Environmental Protection Team would continue to scrutinise applications where air quality is a material consideration. The installation of the real-time air quality monitoring station would help with this.

A Member referred to page 13 of the report, asking for further clarification of the installation of pollutant sensors to optimize traffic signalling. The Team Leader clarified this was a pilot project with West Sussex County Council to install sensors at each of the four branches at the Stonepound Crossroads.

The Cabinet Member for Community thanked the Air Quality Steering Group Members and officers for providing such a thorough report. He emphasised the Site Allocations document goes through a very diligent process and that Air Quality impact would be assessed as part of that process. He concluded by supporting the installation of the real-time air quality monitoring station at London Road, East Grinstead.

As there were no further indications for comment, the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendation contained in the report. This was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

The Committee endorsed the approach of the Council on Air Quality Management.