Decision details

The Panel received a presentation from the Environmental Health officer who specialised in air quality management.

The presentation covered:

·        Local Air Quality Management – Statutory responsibilities and air quality objectives;

·        Where the New Forest was in terms on the National Air Quality objectives;

·        What actions were being taken in the New Forest to improve air quality;

·        The proposed revocation of the Totton Air Quality Management Area; and

·        Future air quality developments both nationally and locally

Members referred to the excellent work of the New Forest Environmental Protection Liaison Committee which provided a useful link between the waterside industries and local communities, allowing a greater understanding of the measures that were put in place to protect air quality.

In answer to questions, members were advised that one of the options being considered for increasing awareness of air quality issues in schools was the development of an interactive presentation, based on the model developed in some London boroughs.  This covered issues such as choosing a clean route to walk to school.