Certain commercial and industrial activities can pollute the air, water or land, increase flood risk, and affect human health. These activities should be carried out under an environmental permit, which sets out the operation and management conditions the Operator must follow.
You are breaking the law if you operate without a permit when you should have one, and this may lead to prosecution.
Types of permit
Listed activities are divided into categories.
Part A (1) permits (plus waste operations at Part B installations) are regulated by the Environment Agency.
Part A (2) and Part B permits are regulated by the local authority can be applied for online below.
See further guidance on activities regulated by local authorities on the environmental permit section of the GOV.UK website (external link).
If you are still unsure which type of permit you need, contact the Environmental Health team.
Information/evidence required
Please contact Environmental Health for further advice on the information required in the application.
The regulator will pay regard to the protection of the environment, in particular, preventing or, where that is not practicable, reducing emissions into the air, water and land.
The regulator may inform the public of the application and must consider any representations.
The application must be from the operator of the regulated installation and the regulator must be satisfied from the information provided that they will operate the installation in accordance with the environmental permit.
Cost
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached. In addition, all permits attract an annual subsistence fee.
The permit lasts for an indefinite period, but a review of the permit will be carried out by the regulator every four to six years. An annual subsistence fee is payable.
Apply
You can apply via the GOV.UK website using the below links:
- Apply for an A2 environmental permit
- Apply for a B environmental permit
- Make a change to an environmental permit
After your application has been submitted
We will not be able to process your application until we have received the correct application fee.
Inspections/assessments
A pre-application site visit will, where possible, be carried out to assess the proposed installation. A further inspection may be carried out once the application has been submitted. Once the installation is operational, periodic inspections may be carried out to check for compliance with the permit conditions.
Decision making and issuing the permit
The regulator will determine a duly-made application within 4 months of its submission (determination period for waste oil burners and dry cleaners is 3 months). The determination period may be longer, where additional information is required from the operator.
Does tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us.
Appeals
You may be able to appeal certain decisions made by the regulator regarding your environmental permit. You cna view the grounds for appeal, time limit, process, costs, etc. on the GOV.UK website.