Purpose

To seek approval for the Air Quality Management Area Order 2026, which will supersede Air Quality Management Area Order 2013. This is required due to improvements in Air Quality resulting in the need to remove the Hourly Nitrogen Dioxide designation from the Air Quality Management Area Order.

Decision

That Cabinet:

Approves the designation of an Air Quality Management Area Order 2026 to replace any previous Orders under Environment Act 1995 Part IV Section 83(1) to ensure South Kesteven District Council meets its statutory requirements in relation to Air Quality.

Reasons for the decision

There have been no reported exceedances of the National Air Quality Objectives for the NO2 1 hourly mean objective of 200µg/m3 for the last 8 years. Air quality continues to improve in respect of NO2 within the district; the AQMA Statutory guidance requires the reviewing and removal of the hourly mean from the AQMA as it is no longer required.

Other options considered

To not approve the designation and the existing Order. However, the preferred option is option 1, as the current designation is no longer meeting the statutory requirements and requires varying by way of a new designation to remedy this.