Background
London Borough of Haringey (LBH) commissioned Anderson Acoustics to undertake an Air Quality Assessment (AQA) to support the planning application for the redevelopment of 505–511 Archway Road, replacing outdated buildings with 14 new flats and two townhouses.
The site fronts the A1 Archway Road, a heavily trafficked corridor within the borough’s Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), subject to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀/PM₂.₅), as well as significant road traffic noise exposure.
The key challenge was to demonstrate that the scheme could achieve Air Quality Neutral compliance, maintain a healthy internal environment, and incorporate good acoustic and ventilation design despite the site’s position on a major arterial route.
What We Did
Baseline Air Quality Review
Using data from DEFRA, the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI 2019), and LBH monitoring stations, Anderson Acoustics established the typical annual mean concentrations of NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅
All values were below the relevant air quality objectives, confirming the site’s suitability for residential use with appropriate design mitigation.
Integrated Design Response
Recognising both air quality and noise constraints from the Archway Road frontage, the scheme adopted a dual-aspect layout with key mitigation principles built into the design:
- Primary openable windows and ventilation inlets positioned on façades facing away from Archway Road, ensuring residents benefit from cleaner and quieter air;
- Mechanical extract and passive supply ventilation systems designed to meet Building Regulations (Part F) while minimising exposure to roadside emissions;
- Landscaping and façade setbacks introduced to further reduce localised pollutant accumulation and reflected noise.
These measures ensured that internal noise and pollutant concentrations would remain within WHO and GLA guidance limits under both typical and worst-case conditions.
Air Quality Neutral and Dust Risk Assessment
The Air Quality Neutral (AQN) review confirmed:
- Building emissions: Zero, due to an all-electric energy strategy with air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and photovoltaic panels;
- Transport emissions: Below benchmarks due to the car-free design, with only two disabled bays provided and comprehensive cycle storage.
A construction-phase dust assessment following IAQM (2024) methodology identified:
- Medium risk for demolition and Low risk for construction/trackout;
- With best practice mitigation in place, overall residual effects were “Not Significant”;
- Mitigation included dust suppression, water-assisted cutting, covered skips, and daily visual inspections aligned with GLA SPG (2014) guidance.
Outcome
- Planning permission granted (2025) following full acceptance of the AQA and Dust Risk Assessment;
- Air Quality Neutral compliance achieved for both building and transport emissions;
- Noise and air quality constraints addressed through façade orientation and ventilation design;
- No residual air quality or dust impacts expected during construction or occupation.
Why It Matters
Sites along major urban routes often face overlapping noise and air quality challenges. At Archway Road, we demonstrated how coordinated acoustic – ventilation design and emission-free energy systems can create healthy, sustainable homes even in constrained environments.
By positioning openable windows and air inlets away from the main road and verifying Air Quality Neutral compliance, the project achieved a balance between urban density, comfort, and clean air living – a key outcome for modern London housing policy.
By integrating air quality and acoustic design, we showed that healthy, low-emission homes can provide healthy conditions and amenity even on one of London’s busiest arterial routes.
