As part of a proposed residential development within King's Lynn, in the immediate proximity of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and adjacent to the King's Lynn bus station, the Local Authority utilised the services of Harrison Group Environmental to carry out a noise assessment in accordance with PPG24 and an air impact assessment as part the planning application.

A baseline noise survey was undertaken to assess ambient background and specific noise levels from the bus station adjacent to the location of the proposed development. Results were used to determine the likelihood of annoyance. Utilising WHO guideline levels and Noise Exposure Categories outlined within PPG24, it was concluded that while noise from the bus station had the greatest potential to cause disturbance, there was also significant noise contribution from other sources, due to the central location of the development.

BS 7445: 1991: Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise and BS 8233: 1999 'Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings - Code of Practice' were utilised to recommend mitigation measures with appropriate noise level reductions to attenuate both day and night time LAeq values.

An air quality impact assessment was also requested to evaluate the potential impacts on human health at the proposed development as a result of its close proximity to the bus station. In addition, the Local Authority required an assessment of the impacts on the adjacent AQMA. This was achieved by undertaking a Transport Statement and incorporating the findings within the air quality impact assessment. It was concluded that the nature of the development meant that there would be minimal additional traffic and therefore the impact on the adjacent AQMA was insignificant.

Continuous monitoring and diffusion tube data for the pollutants of concern, NO2 and PM10, were analysed relative to exposure parameters including Air Quality Objectives set within the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with the risk to human health determined.

The data analysis suggested that the reported air pollutant concentrations would not represent a significant risk to human health of residents at the proposed development. However, mitigation measures including mechanical ventilation systems were suggested.