Background
Following planning consent from the London Borough of Ealing (LBE) for the redevelopment of 27–29 The Broadway, Anderson Acoustics was commissioned by Lyondale Planning to prepare a Ventilation Strategy Report to discharge Planning Condition 6 (Ref: 241451FUL).
The consented scheme comprised:
- Ground-floor retail and commercial space,
- Eight residential flats across the upper floors (including a new third floor).
Because the site lies along The Broadway (A4020) – a busy urban corridor within Ealing’s Air Quality Focus Area – the Council required evidence that residents would not be exposed to elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅).
The challenge was to demonstrate compliance with London Plan Policy SI1 while satisfying acoustic planning conditions and ensuring that indoor air quality met WHO guideline values for new residential units.
What We Did
Baseline Review
We reviewed LBE monitoring data, DEFRA background maps, and London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI 2019) projections for 2025. All concentrations were well below respective air quality objectives, confirming that the site was suitable for residential use.
Ventilation Strategy
To satisfy Condition 6, a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system was specified across all residential floors:
- Fresh-air intakes and exhausts were positioned on the roof, more than 22 m from The Broadway, and separated by at least 1.5 m to prevent recirculation;
- NOx and PM₂.₅ filtration was included as best practice design, even though modelling showed pollutant levels below objectives.
The selected unit provides:
- NOx reduction of 90%,
- PM₂.₅ reduction of 50%, and
- Continuous filtered air supply with low energy demand
Windows and balcony doors remain openable to allow purge ventilation in good air quality conditions.
Compliance and Best Practice
The report confirmed that:
- Both annual and short-term NO₂ and PM₁₀ objectives would be met;
- The MVHR system with integrated filtration ensures compliance with London Plan SI1 and Ealing Development Management Policy 7A;
- The approach satisfies Condition 6 requirements in full
Outcome
- Planning Condition 6 fully discharged to LBE’s satisfaction;
- WHO air quality guidelines achieved within all habitable rooms;
- Best practice filtration design implemented, exceeding minimum policy requirements;
- Residents assured of high indoor air quality despite proximity to an arterial road.
Why It Matters
Urban intensification often requires balancing new housing delivery with air quality constraints. This project demonstrates how a proactive ventilation design, informed by local monitoring and policy alignment, can ensure clean, healthy indoor environments in locations affected by urban traffic emissions.
By integrating MVHR with high-efficiency filtration, we helped deliver homes that are both acoustically and environmentally resilient, contributing to sustainable regeneration along one of Southall’s key commercial corridors. Our ventilation strategy proved that even in a busy air quality focus area, smart filtration design can secure compliance, protect residents, and exceed planning expectations.
