The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section explains the pollution policy. It notes that residual harm may only be permitted where it is offset through environmental improvements, secured and monitored long term, and where cumulative pollution from several developments together would not become unacceptable. The justification cites national policy requiring development to avoid causing or suffering unacceptable soil, air, water, noise or light pollution, and to respect Air Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones. Planning conditions or legal agreements may secure long-term management of compensation measures.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
What the plan says
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
olicy BN.8
Pollution and Environmental Quality
Development must not cause unacceptable pollution or
environmental harm to human health, amenity, or the natural
environment. All development must apply the mitigation hierarchy to avoid, minimise,
and mitigate pollution from:
• Air, water and soil contamination;
• Noise, vibration and odour;
• Artificial light; and
• Other harmful emissions or discharges
A. Mitigation Hierarchy
Where harm cannot be fully avoided or mitigated, development may only be
permitted if:
1. Residual harm is compensated or offset through measurable environmental
improvements, habitat creation or enhancement, or the delivery of
environmental or biodiversity net gain in line with DS1 Environmental
Mitigation and Compensation;
2. Measures are secured, monitored, and managed long-term, proportionate to
the impact.
3. Development does not contribute to unacceptable cumulative or in-
combination pollution impacts when considered alongside existing or planned
development.
B. Pollution Sensitive Development
Development sensitive to pollution (including housing, schools, hospitals, care
homes, parks and recreational spaces) will only be permitted where:
• it would not result in unacceptable harm to human health or quality of life due
to existing or historic land uses; and
• adequate avoidance, mitigation, or compensation measures can be
implemented.
Policy Justification
7.2.10 Pollution can have significant impacts on human health, quality of life, and the
natural environment. Planning decisions should prevent unacceptable harm while
supporting environmental improvement and sustainable development. Page 7 The
NPPF emphasises that planning policies and decisions should contribute to, and
enhance, the natural environment by:
• Preventing new and existing development from contributing to, or being adversely
affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water, noise, or light pollution;
• Ensuring development complies with national pollution limits and standards; and
• Taking account of local air quality management arrangements, including Air
Quality Management Areas and Clean Air Zones.
7.2.11 Where development has the potential to generate pollution or is sensitive
to existing sources, developers are expected to assess likely impacts and
demonstrate how they will be addressed. This may include measures to avoid or
minimise pollution, manage residual risks, and, where harm cannot be fully avoided
or mitigated, provide compensatory actions or deliver wider environmental benefits.
7.2.12 Compensation or environmental improvements could take the form of
habitat creation or enhancement, water or soil quality improvements, noise or light
reduction measures, or other interventions that deliver measurable benefits for both
people and wildlife. Planning conditions or legal agreements may be used to secure
the long-term management and monitoring of these measures.
7.2.13 This approach ensures that pollution is managed in a way that protects
human health, supports biodiversity and ecosystem services, and contributes to
Environmental Net Gain