Air quality

On this page:

• Air quality
• Air quality management areas
• About Air Quality Monitoring
• Wisbech incinerator
• Environmental Permitting

Air Quality

Local authorities are required to submit an air quality annual status report (ASR) to Government each year.

The annual status report updates on progress in meeting air quality objectives and identifies new or changing sources of emissions.

Where, in a specific location, national air quality objectives are not being met or are at risk of not being met, the local authority must declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). 

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)

Fenland District Council has four declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

An AQMA is a defined area identified as potentially having air quality concerns, in that there may be exceedances of nationally set air quality objectives. These are detailed in the Annual Status Reports.

There have been no exceedances to acceptable air quality pollution levels within these AQMAs and therefore these areas will be reviewed accordingly. 

About Air Quality Monitoring

Air quality affects our health and the local environment in different ways.

In Fenland, our Environmental Health Team take steps to help manage local air quality and aim to achieve even better air quality across the district. 

Monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide is undertaken across the district to assess levels of traffic related pollution.

Monitoring of Particulates, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide are also monitored in a fixed location in Whittlesey, March and Wisbech.

Some industries and developers also monitor air quality.

Industries that may cause air pollution, such as dust, fumes and smoke are inspected, permitted and regulated by the Environmental Health Team or by the Environment Agency.

Wisbech incinerator

An air quality strategy for the MVV Environment Medworth Limited energy from waste combined heat and power facility (for electricity and steam generation) at Algores Way, Wisbech, has been agreed and published on the Cambridgeshire County Council planning portal (opens new window).

Pre-commencement background air quality meters have been installed as part of the air quality monitoring strategy.

Monitoring reports will be published by the company on its website: MVV Environment Medworth Limited

Environmental Permitting

The Council and the Environment Agency regulate emissions to the environment from a large number of industrial installations.

Discover more: Environmental Permitting