Pollution Control - Part B authorisation
Some industrial techniques have potential to cause pollution. Since 1990 many of these processes have required an 'authorisation' from the Environment Agency to operate and they are also inspected annually. Some processes have the potential to cause only air pollution and for these operations the local authority is responsible for their inspection and regulation.
Introduction
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 provided a two-tier system of ‘authorisations’ for what were known as ‘prescribed processes’. Authorisations were a type of licence that contained conditions designed to minimise potentially polluting emissions to the environment in line with the BATNEEC principle, which was to prevent, or where that was not practicable, to minimise emissions using the best available technique without entailing excessive cost. Large scale prescribed processes with the potential to cause polluting emissions to air land and water were known as Part A processes and were regulated by the Environment Agency. Smaller scale prescribed processes, known as Part B processes, with the potential to cause polluting emissions to air were regulated by the Council.
The Environmental Protection Act system of authorisations has now been replaced by a system of ‘permits’ under the Pollution prevention and Control Act 1999, which meets the requirements of the European Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. A three-tier system of permits covers the regulation of a broader range of ‘scheduled activities’ line with the ‘BAT’ principle, which is to prevent, or where that is not practicable, to minimise emissions using the best available techniques. Under pollution prevention and control, the Council is responsible for regulating Part B activities with the potential to cause polluting emissions to air, and Part A2 activities with the potential to cause polluting emissions to air land and water. Part A activities remain regulated by the Environment Agency.
The Environmental Permitting Programme is due to be introduced from April 2008, which proposes a more efficient and streamlined version of the Pollution Prevention and Control regime. The systems aims to be a modern , proportionate , risk-based system that is easier , quicker and cheaper to use, but overall, the activities regulated and who regulates them will not change.
What does the Council do?
Hertsmere Borough Council is responsible for permitting and inspecting installations within the Borough that operate a Part A2 or Part B scheduled activity. Information detailing the types of commercial or industrial activity classed as a scheduled activity can be found on the DEFRA website.
Any person operating an activity that requires a permit must submit an application form, with the correct application fee, to the Council for assessment and approval. Application forms are available for download at the bottom of this page. Application fees are set nationally by defra, and change annually. For current fees and charges, see the DEFRA web pages about fees Herts and Beds Air Pollution Monitoring Website .
Successful applications lead to a permit being granted. Each permit contains specific operating conditions designed to control or limit potentially polluting activities, which are drawn up using government guidance. The Council regularly inspects each activity to ensure that the requirements of the operating conditions are being met.
The types of activity we currently permit include: vehicle re-sprayers, concrete crushers, drycleaners, petrol stations and small incinerators. Further information on each permitted activity can be found in the Public Registers held at the Civic Offices, which are free to view during normal office hours.
If you need more advice regarding the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations, what is regulated or how to apply for a permit, contact the Environmental Protection Unit on 020 8207 7435 or email environmental.health@hertsmere.gov.uk
Apply Online
The following forms can be submitted online using the Governments Business Link website:
- Application for an environmental permit part A2
- Application for an environmental permit part B
- Application to change an environmental permit
- Annual subsistence charge
