Other Related Services

Aether also provides other services related to the planning process:

  • Air quality diffusion tube monitoring
  • Air quality neutral assessments
  • Low emission strategy and damage cost assessments
  • Advice on mitigating the impacts of the construction phase
  • Acoustics and noise assessments 

Air quality monitoring

Where air quality modelling is inappropriate or inconclusive, Aether can conduct diffusion tube surveys. 

Diffusion tubes are a simple way of monitoring nitrogen dioxide concentrations that allow a number of sites to be monitored over 6 months or a longer time period.

This is beneficial compared to automatic monitors, which are expensive to set up and run. The results can then be used to evaluate exposure to air pollution at relevant locations and appropriate mitigation put in place if required. 

Air quality neutral assessments

New major developments within Greater London are required to be at least ‘air quality neutral’ and not lead to further deterioration of existing poor air quality. Building and transport emission benchmarks have been developed and developments must meet these benchmarks or implement mitigation measures to reduce emissions either on or off site.

Aether can undertake air quality neutral assessments either as stand-alone reports or as part of an air quality assessment.

Low emission strategy assessments

LES assessments are an alternative or addition to conducting a traditional air quality assessment and they assess the air quality pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions arising from buildings and vehicles both pre and post development.

Aether has undertaken LES assessments for a wide variety of customers and clients.

Advice on mitigating the impacts of the construction phase

Emissions and dust from the construction phase of a development can have a significant impact on local air quality. Guidance has been developed to determine the significance of the impact. In addition, the Mayor of London has introduced standards to reduce emissions of pollutants from construction and demolition activity and associated equipment. Aether can provide construction dust impact advice as part of an air quality assessment report. 

Noise assessments

Aether works with associates that can provide acoustics and noise assessments in the area surrounding your site. Noise measurements are taken over a 24 hours period using a calibrated sound meter. The acoustic consultants are Members of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), and can undertake environmental noise assessments for planning purposes. This includes liaising with both the client and local authority officers in order to determine the assessment requirements, enabling a fast turnaround of reports that adhere to best practice guidance.

Case studies

Residential Air Quality Assessment, Dartford

A case study of the Air Quality Assessments Aether delivers for residential developments, here for a proposed development in Dartford.

Air quality monitoring

Aether was commissioned by Berkeley Homes to undertake an air quality assessment for the proposed installation of gas fired boilers at 250 City Road.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it...

“Aether's approach to couple innovative visualisation with high expertise manpower delivered valuable insights for our inventory work.”

Umweltbundesamt (Germany)

“It is always an absolute pleasure working with Aether. I always know what is expected of me. Their work ethic is of a very high standard and projects are always handled in a very professional manner. I have learnt many skills in terms of project management, quality control and workshop training styles from Aether and I hope to carry these principles forward in my own work. I look forward to collaborating with Aether more in the future.”

Luanne Stevens, Gondwana

“We have been collaborating with Aether for several years, and our projects have greatly benefited from it. Aether staff are very knowledgeable, professional and flexible - and last but not least, very friendly and a pleasure to work with.”

Umhverfisstofnun, Environment Agency of Iceland

“The Aether team were a joy to work with and I would recommend the consultancy - the service provided throughout the process was exceptional.”

Clare Bayley, Defra

“It has been a pleasure to work with Chris Dore and Richard Claxton from Aether: they did their job in a very professional and timely manner. The workshop was organized and carried out in a cooperative spirit; the information provided to the workshop participants was complete and clear.”

Alina Novikova, UN/ECE Secretariat

“Engaging Aether to support us to develop the first GHG Inventory System and first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the United Republic of Tanzania has been a rewarding experience due to their high level of professionalism, creativity, timeliness and value for money. We will definitely consider Aether in our future initiatives.”

Abbas Kitogo, Programme Specialist Energy and Climate Change, UNDP Tanzania

“Both the face-to-face training and the online version have been of high quality, with dynamic methods and a practical orientation that have allowed students to reach a solid knowledge base. The products have been delivered within the stipulated deadlines with an excellent quality and the team has always shown willingness to make adjustments according to the requirements of CONAF. We are very satisfied with the work. ”

Javier Cano Martín, Professional Unit for Climate Change and Environmental Services, CONAF (National Forestry Corporation), Chile

“Saint Lucia embraces the professional approach with which this project was undertaken by Aether, particularly their ability to develop mentorship relations with local government experts. This provides a basis for ensuring that the pool of local experts remain engaged and recognized over successive processes.”

Annette Rattigan-Leo, Chief Sustainable Development and Environment Officer

“If we have a need for any more reports in the future Aether will be first on my list.”

Alan Hardy, Kyson Design

“A heartfelt thank you to all the Aether team for this very comprehensive review – this is certainly turning out to be one of the most beneficial capacity building projects I have ever been involved in.”

Saviour Vassallo, Senior Environment Protection Officer, Malta Resources Authority

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