Planning and development

Ricardo was commissioned by Endless Energy to carry out a detailed air quality and health risk assessment of a proposed Keighley Clean Energy Facility. This included assessment of a waste to energy facility using advanced thermal treatment technology.

The proposed facility is located in the vicinity of sensitive habitat sites forming part of the South Pennines Special Area of Conservation. Delivery of the work required detailed consideration to ensure that the proposed facility would not affect European designated habitat sites.

Ricardo carried out an analysis of air quality and health risks using state-of-the-art modelling tools. Our experts liaised closely with the project team to ensure that the design of the proposed facility was fully protective of the health of those living and working in the local area, and would not have any significant or detectable effect on the nearby habitat sites.

Air quality impacts arising from the project needed to be carefully considered as the hospital is located in a fairly densely populated area. Two designated habitat sites were also identified nearby, so consideration was given to the protection of the sensitive vegetation and ecosystems in these habitats.

Ricardo produced an air quality impact assessment which described the current baseline air quality in the area and assessed the future air quality impacts associated with the proposed installation. Detailed dispersion modelling was undertaken using ADMS 5.2, the latest version of the commonly used advanced atmospheric dispersion model. The modelling provided predicted pollutant concentrations (nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM10)) at carefully selected locations, representing sensitive receptors such as schools and nurseries as well as locations within the hospital site.