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Environment
Biomass
Biomass burning boilers can emit a number of pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particles (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The mix and amounts of pollution produced will depend on the size and design of the boiler, the quality of the fuel used and the presence of any emissions abatement (cleaning) equipment.
Regulation of Biomass Boilers
Biomass boilers are regulated in a variety of ways depending on their size, location and fuel type. The regulatory system is complex with many areas of overlapping legislation and additional information is needed for the Council to make an appropriate assessment. To enable the Council to determine which regulatory regimes apply to a biomass boiler please complete the Biomass Boiler Information Request Form (Word 422Kb) Please note this form should be submitted with all planning applications for biomass installations.
The table below summarises the regulatory regimes:
Fuel Scenario | Plant size | Pollution regulation applicable | Regulator |
Biomass fuel arising from natural sources | < 20 MWth 20-50 MWth > 50 MWth | Clean Air Act LA-PPC IPPC | Local Authority Local Authority Environment Agency |
Waste or waste derived biomass, exempt from WID | < 0.4 -3 MWth and < 50 kg/hr 0.4 - 3 MWth and 50 - 1000 kg/hr > 3 MWth and >1000 kg/hr > 50 MWth | Clean Air Act LA-PPC IPPC IPPC | Local Authority Local Authority Environment Agency Environment Agency |
Waste or waste derived biomass to which WID applies | < 3 MWth > 3 MWth | WID, LA-IPPC WID, IPPC | Local Authority Environment Agency |
MW = megawatt, thermal.
LA-PPC = Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control.
IPPC = Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (Environment Agency).
WID = Waste Incineration Directive (Local Authority and Environment Agency)
Biomass Boilers in smoke control areas
Several areas of the Borough have been designated as smoke control areas. Therefore any boiler being installed in a smoke control area must be an exempt appliance under the Clean Air Act 1993 or burning an authorised fuel. Further information on our smoke control areas, exempt appliances and authorised fuels can be found on the Smoke Controls Areas page.
Chimney height approval for Biomass Boilers
The Council is required to approve the height of a chimney, stack or flue, serving any biomass boiler capable of burning pulverised fuel and solid fuel at 45.4 kg/h or more, or liquid and gas fuels at 366.4 kW or more. Further information on chimney heights can be found on the Smoke Controls and Air Pollution page.
Biomass Guidance
If you are planning to install a biomass boiler guidance can be found in the Biomass and Air Quality Information for Developers document produced by Environmental Protection UK.
Further information on biomass boilers, fuels, approvals, consents and assessing and mitigating the potential impacts of biomass can be found in the Biomass and Air Quality Guidance for Local Authorities document produced by Environmental Protection UK.
Biomass and Planning
Please complete the Biomass Boiler Information Request Form (Word 422Kb) for submission with planning applications for biomass installations.
