Environmental Permit and Advice

Opens in a new windowDo I need a permit?
You must have an environmental permit if you operate a regulated facility in England or Wales.

A regulated facility includes:

• installations or mobile plants carrying out listed activities
• waste operations
• waste mobile plant
• mining waste operations

Listed activities include:

• energy - burning fuel, gasification, liquification and refining activities
• metals - manufacturing and processing metals
• minerals - manufacturing lime, cement, ceramics or glass
• chemicals - manufacturing chemicals, pharmaceuticals or explosives, storing chemicals in bulk
• waste - incinerating waste, operating landfills, recovering waste
• solvents - using solvents
• other - manufacturing paper, pulp and board, treating timber products, coating, treating textiles and printing, manufacturing new tyres, intensive pig and poultry farming

If you unsure whether you require a permit, contact the Environmental Health team (see Contact Us details at the top right of this page).

Which type of permit do I need?
Listed activities are divided into three categories: Part A(1), Part A(2) and Part B.

Part A permits control activities with a range of environmental impacts, including:

• emissions to air, land and water
• energy efficiency
• waste reduction
• raw materials consumption
• noise, vibration and heat
• accident prevention

Part B permits control activities which cause emissions to air.

The permit your business requires depends on the specific processes involved and resulting emissions.

Permits are available from the Environment Agency or your local authority (the regulator) depending upon the category your business falls within:

• Part A(1) installations or mobile plants are regulated by the Environment Agency
• Part A(2) and Part B installations or mobile plants are regulated by the local authority, except waste operations carried out at Part B installations which are regulated by the Environment Agency
• waste operations or waste mobile plant carried on other than at an installation, or by Part A or Part B mobile plants, are regulated by the Environment Agency
• mining waste operations are regulated by the Environment Agency

If you are unsure which type of permit you need, contact the Environmental Health team (see Contact Us details at the top right of this page).

How do I apply?
Applications are made online and must include specified information which will vary depending on the operation. Guidance on how to calculate the fee is given in the online form and you will pay it online.

• Apply for an A2 Environmental Permit Opens in a new window
• Apply for a B Environmental Permit Opens in a new window
• Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances Opens in a new window
• Annual subsistance charge under Environmental Permitting Opens in a new window

Details of fees can be found on the defra website:

DEFRA - Pollution Prevention and Control - Local Authority Fees and Charges Opens in a new window

If further information is required, the applicant will be notified by the regulator and you must provide this information or the application will be deemed to be withdrawn.

The application must be made by the operator of the regulated installation.

For waste operations no licence will be granted unless any required planning permission has first been granted.

What information/evidence will I need to provide?
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.

What does it cost?
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached. In addition, all permits attract an annual subsistence fee. These fees are reviewed annually and can be found on the defra website.

DEFRA - PPC - Local Authority Fees and Charges Opens in a new window

Are there 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.

What happens next?
How long does it take to make a decision and issue 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.

If I don't hear from you for 4 months, can I assume it's been granted ("tacit consent")?

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. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service Opens in a new window or use the contact details on the right of the page.

If I'm turned down, how do I appeal?
Please contact Environmental Health using the contact details at the top right of this page in the first instance.

An applicant who is refused an environmental permit may appeal to the Secretary of State. Appeals must be lodged no later than six months from the date of the decision.

If an application to vary, transfer or surrender an environmental permit has also been refused or if the applicant objects to conditions imposed on the environmental permit they may appeal to the Secretary of State.

Appeals must be lodged in relation to a regulator initiated variation, a suspension notice or an enforcement notice, not later than two months from the date of the variation or notice and in any other case not later than six months from the date of the decision.

For further information on appeals to the Secretary of State, please contact:

The Planning Inspectorate
Environment Team, Major & Specialist Casework
Room 4/04 Kite Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN

Tel: 0117 372 8726
Fax: 0117 372 8139

How long does the permit last, and what's the renewal procedure?
The permit lasts for an indefinite period, but a review of the permit will be carried out by the regulator every 4-6 years. An annual subsistence fee is payable.

How do I tell you about changes of circumstance?
The regulator will need to be notified of variations, transfers or surrender of permits. Please contact Environmental Health to discuss further using the details on the top right of this page.

Consumer Complaint
If you have a complaint against a trader, we would advise you first to contact the trader - preferably by letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked and you are in the UK, Consumer Direct Opens in a new window will give you advice. If you outside the UK, contact the UK European Opens in a new window Consumer Centre Opens in a new window

Where can I go for further information?

• environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk
  Environmental Health,
  Surrey Heath Borough Council,
  Surrey Heath House,
  Knoll Road,
  Camberley,
  Surrey
  GU15 3HD
  Tel 01276 707330
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Pollution Prevention and Control Opens in a new window
• Environment Agency website Opens in a new window

Trade Associations

• Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA)
• Environmental Industries Commission (EIC)
• Environmental Services Associations (ESA)