Kensington & Chelsea / Planning & development
Air quality assessment in Kensington & Chelsea
Planning a conversion, new building or commercial use? ACP helps project teams bring local air-quality evidence, building services and planning requirements into one clear brief.
Consider road exposure, new occupants, construction and extract design across Kensington, Chelsea, Earl’s Court and North Kensington.
Discuss your projectLocal policy
Start with GB6 in the adopted 2024 Local Plan, then reconcile older supplementary guidance.
Measured local context
Explore the 2025 monitoring results and the different questions answered by stations and diffusion tubes.
A coordinated brief
Use the evidence planner to connect exposure, ventilation, energy and commercial extract design.
01 / Streets, buildings and exposure
Conversions need a three-dimensional view
Kensington High Street
The latest council report identifies remaining NO₂ exceedances along this corridor. Locate new occupied rooms and air intakes on the actual plans; a borough average cannot resolve an individual façade.
Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge and Earl’s Court
Traffic-facing elevations, junctions and building geometry can influence exposure. Compare the source setting and inlet position of nearby monitoring before selecting representative evidence.
Chelsea and North Kensington
Consider the specific mix of homes, schools, healthcare, local roads and commercial premises. Where an extract or combustion source is relevant, record its position, operating hours and relationship to neighbouring openings.
The whole borough is an AQMA
Defra lists the designation from 1 November 2000 for annual and hourly NO₂, and annual and daily PM₁₀. View the current Defra AQMA record.
Draw the source-to-receptor route
For a conversion or change of use, show occupation, levels, windows, lightwells, intakes and discharge points. Resolve air quality together with overheating, heritage and acoustic constraints before the layout is fixed.
Phased works in North Kensington
In North Kensington, phased estate renewal and heat-network works can combine occupied neighbours, excavation, temporary plant and changing construction routes. Scope each phase using the actual programme and the current drawings, including any temporary boiler or generator.
02 / Measured evidence
What changed in the latest reporting year
The council’s 2026 annual status report covers 2025 measurements. Read the year of measurement separately from the publication year.
5 reference stations
The automatic network includes background, roadside and kerbside settings.
75 NO₂ tube locations
The 2026 ASR reports passive NO₂ measurements for 2025 across the borough.
3 tube exceedances
All three exceeded the annual NO₂ objective of 40 µg/m³ on Kensington High Street; the maximum was 42.7 µg/m³.
Annual NO₂ / 2019–2025
Background and kerbside conditions
Annual means in µg/m³. The dashed line marks the national annual NO₂ objective.
North Kensington
KC1 · urban background
16 µg/m³ in 2025
Earl’s Court
KC5 · kerbside
34 µg/m³ in 2025
View the annual values
| Year | KC1 | KC5 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 27.4 | 55.9 |
| 2020 | 21 | 37 |
| 2021 | 20 | 44 |
| 2022 | 18 | 41 |
| 2023 | 18 | 37 |
| 2024 | 16 | 33 |
| 2025 | 16 | 34 |
Source: 2026 ASR, Tables 5 and 7. The 2025 NO₂ capture rates at KC1 and KC5 were 98.96% and 99.62%.
03 / Monitoring in context
Different methods answer different questions
| Station | NO₂ | PM₁₀ | PM₂.₅ |
|---|---|---|---|
| KC1 North Kensington | 16 | 14 | 9 |
| KC2 Cromwell Road | 27 | 16 | 9 |
| KC3 Knightsbridge | 30 | — | — |
| KC4 Chelsea Old Town Hall | 30 | — | — |
| KC5 Earl’s Court | 34 | 23* | — |
Source: 2026 ASR, Tables 5, 9 and 11. — indicates no value presented for that pollutant here. *KC5 PM₁₀ had 69.93% capture and was annualised; the council advises caution following electrical faults.
Diffusion tubes are operating
The council describes 79 NO₂ tubes at 75 sites, including triplicate co-locations, and five BTEX tubes. Monthly passive measurements extend spatial coverage. Use the report’s adjusted results, rather than unadjusted laboratory readings. Council monitoring network.
Look beyond nitrogen dioxide
Select particulate matter and other pollutants according to the actual source. The council network also monitors ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and benzene. North Kensington is part of Defra’s AURN. Defra station information.
Annual data and current conditions
The ASR provides quality-assured annual results with data-capture and adjustment notes. Live hourly feeds and sensor readings may be provisional. Check siting, method, quality control and capture before using either in a project assessment.
Choose a representative baseline
Combine council measurements with Defra’s local-authority dashboard and relevant background mapping. Explain site selection, source type, measurement year and any adjustment; do not transfer a kerbside concentration directly to a rear intake.
04 / Policy and submission
Current policy, with the older references resolved
Local Plan 2024: GB6
Adopted on 24 July 2024, the plan uses GB6 for air quality. It requires assessment for major schemes and other specified circumstances, including new sensitive receptors, pollution sources and significant demolition or construction. Current Local Plan.
Neutral and Positive workstreams
GB6 requires development to meet Air Quality Neutral benchmarks. It also sets out when an Air Quality Positive approach applies, including specified major development in Air Quality Focus Areas and large EIA proposals. Keep benchmarks, exposure and impact evidence clear. Read GB6 and its supporting text.
Air Quality SPD: June 2009
The council still publishes this adopted SPD for new development, conversions and changes of use. It refers to the former UDP framework. Apply relevant design guidance alongside the adopted 2024 plan and current London guidance. Air Quality SPD.
Greening SPD: June 2021
Adopted on 9 June 2021, this guidance connects energy, emissions and environmental design. Coordinate ventilation, heating choices and retrofit proposals with air-quality evidence. Greening SPD adoption statement.
Submission requirements: March 2023
The currently linked list retains CE5 and older draft-guidance references. It separates national validation information from evidence needed for assessment. Use the present GB6 policy and current technical guidance when setting the submission scope. Council submission gateway · Linked submission list.
Construction, noise and odour
Review GB7, GB8 and GB9 alongside GB6 where works, plant or kitchen extract interact with neighbours. Coordinate the drawings and operating assumptions so the assessment addresses the combined design question.
05 / Design decisions
Make the assessment useful before equipment is fixed
Position occupants and intakes
Record occupied rooms, terraces, schools and neighbouring openings in plan and section. Compare traffic-facing and more sheltered locations using evidence suited to the actual street.
Coordinate commercial extract
For kitchens and other relevant uses, define the discharge location, treatment, maintenance and operating periods. Align air quality and odour work with fan noise and the architectural constraints.
Scope refurbishment and construction
Describe demolition, excavation, access routes, plant and sensitive neighbours. Set proportionate dust controls and identify whether monitoring is needed to verify the construction management approach.
Local planning / Evidence in practice
How borough projects address air quality
Public council reports show how the assessment connects to energy design, construction controls and the position of future occupants.
Wornington Green Estate: design and delivery controls
The March 2025 report for Phase 3, application PP/21/07028, considered an updated assessment alongside rooftop heat pumps, transport emissions and an Air Quality Positive design approach.
Officers recommended separate controls for demolition and construction dust, monitoring, machinery emissions, boilers, the emergency generator and ventilation. The useful lesson is to carry assessment findings into drawings, equipment choices and the construction programme.
Council report, paragraphs 7.377–7.383 and recommended conditions 52–60
Notting Dale Heat Network: checking design changes
The February 2025 report for Lancaster West Estate, application PP/24/07334, reviewed amended pipework and plant arrangements. Officers checked whether the excavation changes affected the existing dust assessment and whether the temporary boiler’s size or capacity had changed.
The report found the existing dust assessment and management measures remained applicable. It proposed continuing controls for the temporary boiler, environmental management and dust monitoring. An amended design therefore needs an evidence review tied to the changes actually proposed.
Examples summarised from the March and February 2025 council officer reports.
06 / Interactive project checklist
Kensington and Chelsea evidence planner
Answer five questions to organise the assessment brief. Choose “Not sure yet” where information is missing; those points remain visible in your results.
Answers stay in this page. The planner organises evidence; it does not certify compliance or decide planning requirements.
07 / A clear assessment package
From the brief to the planning evidence
01 / Scope
Define the question
Bring together the local requirement, proposal, sources and receptors. Identify missing information before detailed work begins.
02 / Assess
Use consistent inputs
Align the baseline, traffic, plant and programme. Explain assumptions and compare relevant scenarios.
03 / Respond
Connect findings to design
Record mitigation and the drawings or specifications it relies on. Review material changes as the project develops.
Our London Neutral and Positive evidence planner helps organise the wider policy workstreams. For construction, use the London assessment and monitoring guidance alongside the site-specific brief.
Where extract, fan noise or sensitive neighbours are involved, coordinate the noise assessment and odour assessment with the same plans. The main air quality service page explains the broader assessment and monitoring services.
08 / What is changing
Keep the reporting and policy dates separate
Action planning after 2027
The current council programme is the 2022–2027 Air Quality Action Plan. The Making the Borough Greener consultation published results in February 2026 to inform environmental-plan updates. Check a replacement’s actual adoption before treating it as current policy. Consultation results and next steps.
A newer dataset is not a new planning policy
The 2026 ASR brings the baseline to measurement year 2025. A later monitoring year can change the assessment inputs, while GB6 remains the adopted planning-policy reference. Check technical editions and application conditions at the submission stage.
09 / Send what you have
Start your Kensington & Chelsea air quality brief
Send the information available now. These details help us identify the next assessment steps and prepare an appropriate scope:
- Site address, plans and planning reference.
- Proposed use, scale and application stage.
- Council comments, conditions and relevant deadlines.
- Traffic, servicing, energy and extract information.
- Occupied spaces, windows and ventilation proposals.
- Construction activities and intended programme.
- Existing reports, monitoring and material design changes.
For this borough, bring ventilation, overheating, acoustic design and energy assumptions together early.
Questions / Local answers
Kensington & Chelsea air-quality FAQs
Is all of Kensington and Chelsea an AQMA?
Yes. Defra’s current record covers the whole borough for annual and hourly nitrogen dioxide, and annual and daily PM₁₀. The designation remains declared.
Which local air-quality policy applies now?
GB6 in the adopted Local Plan 2024 is the current air-quality policy. The council’s older SPD and submission list contain historic references, so read them alongside GB6 and current London guidance.
Can a small conversion still need an assessment?
Yes. GB6 covers circumstances beyond major development, including new sensitive receptors and development near known pollution sources. Review the proposed use, its location and the applicable policy triggers before setting the scope.
Are there diffusion tubes as well as automatic stations?
Yes. The council describes 79 NO₂ tubes across 75 sites, with triplicate co-locations, as well as five BTEX tubes. Use the adjusted annual results and relevant siting information.
What does the latest monitoring show?
The 2026 report covers 2025. All five automatic stations met the annual NO₂ objective, while three diffusion-tube locations on Kensington High Street exceeded it. This reinforces the need to review the actual street and receptor location.
Why is the Earl’s Court particle result qualified?
The 2025 KC5 PM₁₀ result had incomplete capture following electrical faults. It was annualised, and the council advises caution. Retain this limitation when comparing sites or selecting baseline evidence.
Can extract, odour and noise be assessed together?
A coordinated brief can use the same equipment schedule, drawings, receptor positions and operating hours. Each assessment should still explain its method and conclusions, with the relevant GB6, GB8 and GB9 issues addressed.
What should I send ACP to scope the work?
Send the site address, application reference or council request, existing and proposed uses, plans and sections, ventilation and extract details, plant schedules and construction information. Include earlier reports and a clear schedule of design changes.
Kensington and Chelsea / Your next step
Discuss your air quality project
Send the site, proposal and planning stage. Include any council request and programme constraints so ACP can identify the assessment steps.
Your details are handled under our privacy policy.
Evidence / Checked 20 October 2026
Kensington & Chelsea guidance and sources
- 2026 annual status report: 2025 measurements
- 2025 report: 2024 measurements
- Council monitoring network
- Adopted Local Plan and policies map
- Air Quality SPD
- Greening SPD adoption statement
- Application submission gateway
- March 2023 submission requirements
- Air Quality Action Plan 2022–2027
- Environmental plans: consultation results
- Defra AQMA designation record
- Defra local-authority dashboard
- North Kensington AURN station
Monitoring values use the council’s 2026 report covering 2025. Publication dates, measurement years and data-quality limitations are identified in the evidence above.