Searches UK are pleased to announce the launch of a new search which helps determine the level of pollutants around a commercial property or land development site.
The Landmark SiteSolutions Air Quality Screening Report, on offer from Searches UK, is the first conveyance-ready air quality screening report of its kind, which identifies ‘non-compliant’ areas – both now and in the future – and helps commercial property developers, investors and professionals in determining air quality risks related to land or property assets.
After the release of a new Air Quality paper from Defra, Local Authorities now face greater pressure to tackle localised air pollution issues. Where pollutants exceed national objectives, Local Authorities will designate an ‘Air Quality Management Area’ (AQMA).
With over 580 AQMAs located across 239 Local Authorities, covering a total area of 3,600km2, the new report will reveal ‘non-compliant’ areas – both now and in the future – and help commercial property developers, investors and professionals in determining air quality risks related to land or property assets.
By being located within an AQMA, it automatically places greater scrutiny, and potential costs or delays, onto commercial planning applications, re-developments or transactions, where air quality will need to be factored in to the process.
Andrew Stenning, Managing Director, at Searches UK, said:
“This new report is a great addition to our wide selection of commercial search reports. We work closely with Landmark and are pleased to support the launch of the new SiteSolutions Air Quality Screening Report to the market. Searches UK continues to review the needs of our clients and changes to the market in order to deliver the most up to date and cutting-edge products.”
Angela Gordon Lennox, Legal Product Manager at Landmark, commented:
“The topic of air quality relating to commercial land, properties and subsequent planning applications is a ticking time bomb; the Government is currently working on a major new strategy to tackle the UK’s air pollution after the Supreme Court ruled it was in breach of air quality regulations and, as such, Local Authorities have a responsibility to review and control air quality.”
The new report will provide the intelligence needed for solicitors and conveyancers to fully inform their clients of the position in terms of air quality and includes:
- Air Quality Management Areas – details of any AQMAs within 500m of the site;
- Air Quality Monitoring Stations – highlights if air is being monitored with 500m of the site;
- Local Emissions Sources – provides details of any relevant known emission sources within 500m of the site;
- Predicted Air Quality Issues – provides an indication as to whether poor air quality is likely to become an important consideration for the site in years to come, which may lead to costs or restrictions on site use.
For more information about any of the products and services from Searches UK visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+. Alternatively call them directly on 0800 043 1815 or email them at info@searchesuk.co.uk to speak to one of their dedicated team today.
This article was submitted to be published by Searches UK as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
