Description of services offered within the specialities of air quality and noise assessment

1. Inspire Design & Development / Unit 2A / Church View Business Park / Coney Green Road / Chesterfield / Derbyshire / S45 9HA
Tel: 01246 864467 / Email: info@inspiredesigngroup.co.uk / www.inspiredesigngroup.co.uk
Inspire Design has
been providing de-
sign services to the
construction industry
for over 12 years.
These services in-
clude air quality as-
sessment capabili-
ties.
As part of the plan-
ning application pro-
cess, the effects of
development related
traffic upon air quality
are often of concern
due to potential
health implications.
The planning authori-
ty will require assess-
ments to be undertak-
en to assess potential
impacts. Inspire De-
sign is able to provide
air quality assess-
ments for many de-
velopment proposals.
Inspire Design work with the stakeholders from the outset to ensure that potential air quality issues are identified
and a suitable assessment can be undertaken that is acceptable to the approving authority.
The effect of vehicular traffic upon air quality is widely publicised. Assessments are required for many develop-
ments to ensure that the effect upon air quality is assessed prior to obtaining a planning approval and Inspire
Design has produced a number of assessments that have enabled developments to progress and attain plan-
ning permission.
A suitable assessment can be undertaken using empirical calculations, to quickly and easily identify if the pro-
posed development is likely to present an risk to air quality. This negates the need for complex and costly com-
puter modelling, and can if discussed at the outset eliminate the need for these detailed investigations. The
chemicals generally assessed are described below;
• 1,3 Butadiene (C4H6) is a hydrocarbon and is used in the manufacture of vehicle tyres. There are known
associations of 1,3 Butadiene with cardiovascular disease, leukaemia and other cancers.
• Benzene (C6H6), is a hydrocarbon and is used within vehicle fuels to increase octane rating, to reduce in-
correct combustion. It is known to increase the risk of cancer, and is a noted cause of bone marrow failure.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced during combustion within engines, when exposed it can cause prob-
lems with the heart and central nervous system
• PM10 is small particulates that can stay airborne and comprise a large variety of matter. Their inhalation is
linked to respiratory problems, circulatory problems (strokes / heart disease), and cancers.
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is produced during the combustion of petrochemicals, it is toxic when inhaled.
Air Quality Assessment
Above: An example plot showing the predicted levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in 2023
Please contact Ian Kirk-Ellis, MSc, I.Eng, FIHE, MCIHT, MTPS, MIEnvSc, ACIWEM Tel 01246 864467 Mob 07951 232 688
www.inspiredesigngroup.co.uk

2. Inspire Design & Development / Unit 2A / Church View Business Park / Coney Green Road / Chesterfield / Derbyshire / S45 9HA
Tel: 01246 864467 / Email: info@inspiredesigngroup.co.uk / www.inspiredesigngroup.co.uk
Noise Assessment
Inspire Design has been providing design
services to the construction industry since
2004. These services include noise as-
sessment capabilities.
Noise assessments vary in scope depend-
ing upon the existing noise environment.
Where industrial noise sources exist or are
proposed complex noise models require
construction often at great cost to the cli-
ent. However for the majority of noise as-
sessments a simpler approach derived
from spreadsheet calculations using the
‘Calculation of Road Traffic Noise’ method-
ology are suitable to satisfy the local au-
thority.
Calculation of noise level is five stage pro-
cess.
 Define segment of road in question
 Calculate generated noise level
 Calculate propagation
 Adjust for site layout
 Combine noise levels
Using a variety of inputs, the noise levels
can be generated and assessed. Inspire
Design staff have significant experience in
the calculation of road traffic noise and the
identification of noise mitigation measures.
The team can help obtain planning permis-
sion by ensuring noise issues are dealt
with at the planning stage and an agreed
strategy for mitigation is outlined. Above: Noise plot showing modelled noise levels across the site.
Example acoustic fence
Please contact Ian Kirk-Ellis, MSc, I.Eng, FIHE, MCIHT, MTPS, MIEnvSc, ACIWEM Tel 01246 864467 Mob 07951 232 688
www.inspiredesigngroup.co.uk