Environmental Permitting

All industrial processes have the potential to release pollution to land, air and water. As well as damaging the environment, this pollution can pose a risk to human health.

In order to minimise and manage potential environmental impacts from industry, certain processes are regulated under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

The Environmental Permitting regime combines both pollution prevention and control (PPC) and waste management licensing (WML).

It is an offence for any person or company to operate a permitted activity without a valid environmental permit.

The regulatory responsibility for the Environmental Permitting regime is split between the Council and the Environment Agency.

Part A1 industrial processes

The Environment Agency regulates the larger and more polluting industries such as landfill sites, fuel and power stations, metal production and processing, mineral industries and chemical industries.

Part A2 industrial processes

The Council regulates the medium risk industrial processes in terms of controlling emissions to air, land and water, as well as noise, vibration, odour, waste disposal and energy efficiency. A2 processes include foundries, glass making, galvanising, rendering, animal carcass incineration, ceramics and roadstone coating.

Part B industrial processes

The Council also regulates the lower risk industrial processes in terms of controlling emissions to air. Part B processes include petrol stations, concrete crushers, vehicle re-sprayers, small waste oil burners and dry cleaners.

Permit application forms

If you are an operator of a process which potentially requires a permit there are a number of application forms which you can download below. If you are a current operator and wish to apply for a new permit, vary a permit or surrender a permit, please download the relevant form below.