Air Quality Strategy

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North Devon Council has a Corporate Plan which sets out the Council’s vision and corporate priorities.

The Council’s corporate environment objective is “to protect and enhance our natural environment and to promote sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, tackle climate change and protect biodiversity within the council's jurisdiction.”

In June 2024, North Devon Council revoked its Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), due to continued improvements in local air quality. However, these improvements had not met the exceedance levels set by government, (which are based on health and scientific data).

Where an authority does not have an Air Quality Management Area, it is required to have an adopted Air Quality Strategy (in accordance with the Environment Act 1995, as amended by the Environment Act 2021) setting out air quality standards, objectives, and measures for improving ambient air quality every 5 years.

The Council can influence additional improvement by working with partner agencies, businesses, and residents to improve air quality further.

Following the revocation of the North Devon Council AQMA an air quality strategy has now been drafted. The draft strategy identifies the areas where the Council can have a direct positive influence such as through Spatial Planning in the Local Plan, Carbon Reduction and Housing Strategy.

The draft Air Quality Strategy has considered 6 themes, where the Council can have influence:

  • Domestic Burning
  • Industrial Emissions
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Communicating air quality information

The Council is required to monitor the air quality and report on the progress, including against the measures in the strategy. The strategy once adopted will be required to be reviewed periodically.

North Devon Council is seeking the views of local stakeholders and residents on the draft strategy.

Please refer to the draft Air Quality Strategy attached and watch the video by Councillor Ricky Knight, Lead Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, before you complete the survey.

The consultation will start on 9 June 2025 and close on 21 July 2025.

The results will be published on the North Devon Council’s website and will be presented to the Policy Development Committee on 11 September 2025 for consideration and to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 6 October 2025 for adoption.

Alternative formats

If you need this consultation survey as a paper version or large print you can request this by emailing the Corporate and Community Services Team at consultation@northdevon.gov.uk(External link) or by calling 01271 388253. Paper copies are available from the new Green Lanes Council Hub in Barnstaple (open from 16 June 2025), Ilfracombe Community Office, High Street, Ilfracombe (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am until 5pm closed 1pm to 2pm), and Amory Centre, South Molton (Thursday 9 am until 5pm - closed 1pm to 2pm).

North Devon Council has a Corporate Plan which sets out the Council’s vision and corporate priorities.

The Council’s corporate environment objective is “to protect and enhance our natural environment and to promote sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, tackle climate change and protect biodiversity within the council's jurisdiction.”

In June 2024, North Devon Council revoked its Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), due to continued improvements in local air quality. However, these improvements had not met the exceedance levels set by government, (which are based on health and scientific data).

Where an authority does not have an Air Quality Management Area, it is required to have an adopted Air Quality Strategy (in accordance with the Environment Act 1995, as amended by the Environment Act 2021) setting out air quality standards, objectives, and measures for improving ambient air quality every 5 years.

The Council can influence additional improvement by working with partner agencies, businesses, and residents to improve air quality further.

Following the revocation of the North Devon Council AQMA an air quality strategy has now been drafted. The draft strategy identifies the areas where the Council can have a direct positive influence such as through Spatial Planning in the Local Plan, Carbon Reduction and Housing Strategy.

The draft Air Quality Strategy has considered 6 themes, where the Council can have influence:

  • Domestic Burning
  • Industrial Emissions
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Communicating air quality information

The Council is required to monitor the air quality and report on the progress, including against the measures in the strategy. The strategy once adopted will be required to be reviewed periodically.

North Devon Council is seeking the views of local stakeholders and residents on the draft strategy.

Please refer to the draft Air Quality Strategy attached and watch the video by Councillor Ricky Knight, Lead Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, before you complete the survey.

The consultation will start on 9 June 2025 and close on 21 July 2025.

The results will be published on the North Devon Council’s website and will be presented to the Policy Development Committee on 11 September 2025 for consideration and to the Strategy and Resources Committee on 6 October 2025 for adoption.

Alternative formats

If you need this consultation survey as a paper version or large print you can request this by emailing the Corporate and Community Services Team at consultation@northdevon.gov.uk(External link) or by calling 01271 388253. Paper copies are available from the new Green Lanes Council Hub in Barnstaple (open from 16 June 2025), Ilfracombe Community Office, High Street, Ilfracombe (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am until 5pm closed 1pm to 2pm), and Amory Centre, South Molton (Thursday 9 am until 5pm - closed 1pm to 2pm).

Page published: 09 Jun 2025, 04:25 PM