Issue - meetings

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health to the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 5 October  provides an updated Air Quality Action Plan and identifies actions to be taken to reduce pollutants within the 6 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide across the Borough as a whole.   Decision Notice D200065MEM is also attached.

(Attached for information)

(Requested by the Kent Association of Local Councils – Tonbridge and Malling)

The Parish Partnership Panel noted the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health presented to the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, which provided an updated Air Quality Action Plan and identified actions to be taken to reduce pollutants within the 6 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide across the Borough as a whole.

It was indicated that the comments and concerns previously raised at the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board of 5 October had been noted by Officers.  The Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services recognised the challenge in reducing air pollutants and commented on the benefits of encouraging people to move to electric vehicles.

Reference was made to the Kent County Council Rail Strategy Consultation, considered by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 11 November, which supported low carbon travel.

The following concerns and points were raised, discussed and noted:

-        It was unlikely that air quality could be improved unless road and traffic issues were addressed;

-        The value of progressing the junction 5 east facing slip road to benefit West Kent, which the Borough Council continued to lobby for;

-        The lack of detailed data from Public Health England on mortality rates due to air pollutants;

-        UK Powers Network continued delay in setting up the equipment in Borough Green to provide statistical information.  This position was being actively pursued by the Cabinet Member and Officers; and

-        The difficulty in balancing ongoing housing development, particularly along the A20 corridor, the pressure to meet housing targets imposed by Government and reducing air pollutants.

The report provides an updated Air Quality Action Plan and identifies actions to be taken to reduce pollutants within the 6 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide across the Borough as a whole

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided an updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for the six Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within the Borough.  The AQAP outlined actions to be taken to reduce concentrations of pollutants within the AQMAs so that, eventually, these could be revoked.   The actions identified within the AQAP would also be used to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide across the Borough as a whole.

Following consideration by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services resolved that:

The Draft Amended Air Quality Action Plan, as set out at Annex 2 to the report, be endorsed and the wider statutory consultation be undertaken.   

Decision Notice D200065MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for the six Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within the Borough.  The AQAP outlined actions to be taken to reduce concentrations of pollutants within the AQMAs so that, eventually, these could be revoked.   The actions identified within the AQAP would also be used to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide across the Borough as a whole.

RECOMMENDED:  That the Draft Amended Air Quality Action Plan, as set out at Annex 2 to the report, be endorsed and the wider statutory consultation be undertaken.