An environmental permit is required under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. A Permit allows the Operator to carry out various activities that may have an impact on the environment and human health. An operation’s impact on the environment, human health, and quality of life will be minimised as a result of having an environmental permit in place.
When Is a Permit Required?
An environmental Permit is required if you operate any of the following:
- An ‘Installation’ – an industrial facility, manufacturer or other business that produces potentially harmful substances, for example a landfill site, a large chicken farm, a food factory, a furniture factory, a dry cleaners, a petrol station.
- A Waste Operation – a site where waste is recycled, stored, treated or disposed of.
- A Mining Waste Operation – a site which manages waste produced from mines or quarries.
- A Medium Combustion Plant or Specified Generator.
- A Small Waste Incineration Plant – where certain types and quantities of waste are burned.
- A Mobile Plant – plant that’s designed to move or be moved, for example a machine that’s moved onto a site to clean contaminated soil.
- A Solvent Emission Activity – releasing organic solvents directly or indirectly into the air.
Application Process and Enforcement
Dependent on the activity, the Operator has to apply either to the Environment Agency (EA) or the relevant Local Authority (LA). Charges are applicable for both the determination and ongoing regulation of the environmental permit. The EA will check for permit compliance and the competency of the operator. If the EA or LA decide that the Operator is not adequately complying with the permit conditions, the permit can be revoked. Other actions that may be taken include:
- Providing advice.
- Altering conditions of the environmental permit.
- Serving a remediation or enforcement notice.
- Carrying out a suspension notice.
- Prosecution (if in the public interest).
How Can WPSCC Help?
WPSCC offers a full range of Environmental Permit Application Services for obtaining the necessary permits for your site’s activities.
Our services are tailored depending on your permit requirements, ranging from guidance and support to complete application management and liaison with regulating authorities. WPSCC has extensive experience within the waste and other environmental permitting industries and will ensure that your permit application process is efficient and compliant.
WPSCC has experience in preparing documents that are a requirement for environmental permits:
| Permit Documents | Information
|
| Environmental Management Systems | Written procedures tailored to your site on how to minimise the risk of pollution |
| Site Plans | Tailored maps using GIS systems
|
| Fire Prevention Plans | Required if your site is storing/handling combustible waste
|
| Environmental Risk Assessment | For bespoke permit applications. Identifying potential risks to receptors.
|
| Emissions Management Plans- Noise, Odour and Dust | How the emissions will be monitored from the sites activities that may cause pollution
|
| Site Condition Report | Details of environmental setting such as geology, hydrogeology, surface waters, pollution history affecting the land. |
| Best Available Techniques (BAT) | Permit conditions may require a BAT or ‘appropriate measures’ to be followed. A written document outlining the measures the site will follow. |
| Climate Change Risk Assessments | Considers whether a changing climate could affect operations and how this may affect the ability to comply with the permit. |
Call us NOW on 01604 859961, or email [email protected] to ask our advice/guidance.
References:
Environmental permitting: Core guidance
Environmental permit for construction – Designing Buildings
Why do I need an Environmental Permit and what to do if I receive a non-compliance. – Caulmert
