‘Air pollution should block development’

A health expert has warned that forecasts for the level of pollution generated by the Mountfield Park development have been “seriously underestimated”.

Dr Steve Peckham, of the University of Kent’s Centre for Health Services Studies, says the projected figures are based on faulty methods that have been discredited by a High Court ruling.

He argues that because the proposed development will raise pollution above acceptable levels it should be refused planning permission.

“The developer has seriously underestimated the levels of pollution by using models to calculate it which have been discredited in the High Court,” Prof Peckham said.

“These are old methods which should not have been used.”

In a submission to the council ahead of Tuesday’s planning committee meeting, Prof Peckham states that Canterbury already routinely breaches the 40mg/m3 limit of nitrogen dioxide set by the European Union.

He points to Broad Street, St Dunstan’s Street and Wincheap as the roads with the highest pollution levels.

And he says that while the city council is obliged to lower pollution levels it cannot do so if developments contribute to increasing them.

Prof Peckham added: “The High Court says that there’s already noncompliance with air quality levels in Canterbury. It’s beholden on the council to reduce the amount of emissions.

“By 2020 the council has got to find a way of bringing it down to the national limit. Thus I would argue that any development that would impede achieving air quality limits in Canterbury before 2020 should be refused planning permission.”

In its report to the planning committee, the council says it believes that the developer has produced a plan that will offset pollution levels.

Housebuilder Corinthian believes it can persuade residents to use buses or walk and cycle into central Canterbury. It is also proposing supplying electric bicycles to Mountfield residents and providing electric vehicle charging points.

Council planning officer Cherry Jones says in her report: “The council is satisfied the measures will mitigate air quality impacts arising from the proposed development, and these will be secured through the legal agreement.

“Furthermore, these measures will assist in achieving modal shift in relation to cycle use, and provide electric vehicle charging points in properties to facilitate the use of electric or hybrid cars in the future.”