Environmental permit

What kinds of processes do we permit?

Pollution prevention and control: environmental permits

By law, local authorities are required to regulate certain types of industries to reduce pollution and in particular improve air quality. The laws include:

  • The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999
  • Environmental Permitting (England and Wales Regulations) 2016

Together these laws govern:

  • Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control
  • Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control

Our role is to issue permits which set controls and emission standards to minimise pollution from certain industrial activities. The activities which require a permit can be found in part 2 of schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. Once a permit has been issued we routinely inspect the activity, those with a higher pollution potential are inspected more frequently. If a company breaches the conditions we set in the Permit we can take enforcement action which may lead to prosecution.

The activities listed in the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 are split into three categories namely A1, A2 and part B activities.

A1 activities

The Environment Agency control A1 activities, which are the larger more polluting and complex industries, for example power stations.

Enquiries about A1 activities should be made to the Environment Agency.

A2 activities

We undertake the inspection and regulation of all part A2 activities within the borough. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, these activities include large foundries and brick manufacturers.

The part A2 activities regime is known as Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-IPPC).

Part B activities

Part B activities are those that have less potential to cause pollution and include activities such as vehicle re-spraying, furniture manufacture and unloading of petrol.

The part B activities regime is known as Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC).

Guidance

DEFRA provides guidance on the policy and permitting procedures for activities subject to LA-IPPC and LAPPC under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.

Who needs a permit?

Anyone operating an activity that is listed in part 2 of schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 requires a permit.

Anyone wanting to operate an A1 activity needs to apply to the Environment Agency. Anyone wishing to operate a part A2 or part B activity must submit an application, with the appropriate fee, to us.

We must then consider the permit application making reference to government guidance to determine whether to issue or refuse the permit application. If we issue a permit, it must include conditions which set down how the pollution shall be minimised. Please contact us for an application form.

Public register of permitted activities

We maintain a public register containing information on all the permitted activities within the borough. Please email us for more details:

Public participation and consultations

The public are invited to comment on current applications for all permits (part A2 and part B) and draft determinations for part A2 permits only.

Comments on applications/determinations must be made to us within 20 days of the notification being placed on the web site.

Any written comments received from the public will be placed on the public register unless they include a request that this is not done. In such circumstances the register will include a note that representations have been made which are not on the register because of such a request.

For enquiries about the register, please contact us.

Processes that require an environmental permit

Some of the more common processes that require an environmental permit include:

  • vehicle re-sprayers
  • ceramic product manufacturing
  • bulk handling and storage of cement
  • mobile crushers
  • petrol filling stations
  • small waste oil burners
  • dry cleaners

Further information

You may find the following web sites useful:

Our contact details

Environmental Protection
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Castle House
Barracks Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ST5 1BL

Email: environmental_health@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk

Phone: 01782 71771