Air quality
We have a duty to regularly monitor air pollutant levels to assess current and future air quality.
The pollutants of concern are:
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Fine particles
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulphur dioxide
- Benzene
- 1,3 Butadiene
- Lead
- Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
- Ozone
The United Kingdom Air Quality Strategy 2007 requires councils to improve areas of poor air quality, reduce any remaining significant risks to health and to achieve the wider objectives of sustainable development about air quality in the UK.
The reports have been prepared as part of Forest of Dean District Council's statutory requirement under part IV of the Environment Act 1995.
For more general information about the national air quality strategy visit the Defra website.
For more information contact the Environmental and Regulatory Services on 01594 810000 or email [email protected].
Air Quality Management Areas
Areas not meeting with National Air Quality Standards are declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA), and the local authority is required to produce an Air Quality Action Plan to put in place measures to reduce the concentrations of pollutants of concern.
The Forest of Dean district declared an AQMA in Lydney town centre in 2010, due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations exceeding the UK national objective. In 2024, the average monthly concentrations of NO2 were measured to be below the UK objective for the third consecutive year, meeting Defra’s criteria for revocation. Forest of Dean District Council cabinet approved the proposal to revoke the AQMA in October 2025, and the Revocation Order was submitted to Defra on 29 January 2026.
Air Quality across the district now meets with the UK objectives and continues to improve. The council will continue to monitor NO2 throughout the Forest of Dean district and present the data in the Annual Status Reports available on this webpage.
Guidance for planners and developers
This Air Quality Technical Guidance document for the Forest of Dean District Council has been produced to provide a screening tool to assist planners and developers in deciding when air quality should be assessed as part of the development control process. It also provides guidance for air quality consultants undertaking air quality and emission mitigation assessments, in order to protect local air quality from any impacts arising from the development.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, found in small amounts in all rock and soil. Radon seeps out of the ground and can collect in enclosed spaces such as buildings through floors.
Most buildings have low levels of radon that aren't a problem and if levels are high they can usually be reduced for a reasonable cost.
Health risks from radon
Exposure to long term high levels of radon is associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer, particularly if combined with smoking cigarettes.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) advice is that:
- homes with radon levels above the Action Level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3) should be reduced, preferably to below the Target Level of 100 Bq/m3
- homes with levels between the Target Level and Action Level should seriously consider reducing their radon level, especially if they are at greater risk, such as if they are or have been smokers.
Radon in the Forest of Dean
We cannot provide information on radon levels in individual properties or specific areas. For up to date data and enquiries contact UK Radon.
Testing for radon
Most buildings have low levels of radon that aren't a problem.
Visit the Public Health England website to:
- check whether you live in a radon affected area, for a small fee
- find out how to test for Radon in your home