Environmental Permitting Regulations identify controls for industry to protect the environment.

Not all industrial activity requires an authorisation or permit to operate. Those that do are regulated either by Waltham Forest Council or the Environment Agency (EA).

Operating a prescribed activity without a permit could lead to a £50,000 fine, so if you believe an activity is being carried out or you wish to carry out an activity that may fall in the PPC Regulations, you should contact Environmental Health to discuss the application process.

Regulation summary

The regulatory powers come from 3 pieces of legislation:

  • Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990
  • Pollution Prevention & Control Act (PPC) 1999
  • Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2010

Operators wishing to carry out activities that are prescribed (listed in the legislation) need to make an application to the relevant authority (applying for a permit). To find out more about the EPA & PPC please visit Defra website.

The local authority role

The permits (or authorisations) set operating conditions, which the operator must comply with. Council officers undertake regular planned inspections to ensure compliance.

Part A2 permits concern air, water, land and other environmental considerations. Currently there are no A2 industrial premises in Waltham Forest.

Part B permits concern air pollution only. See Waltham Forest’s list of registered Part B Permitted Processes

The Environment Agency role

The Environment Agency regulate specified larger industrial sites referred to as ‘Part A processes’ under the EPR or 'Part A1 installations’ under the EPR. See the Environment Agency website.

Apply for a permit

If you think you might need a permit to operate, please complete the pre-application form and either return by email or post. Contact details are on the form. Click here to access the form.

Fees

There is an application fees and once the permit is issued the operator must comply with the permit conditions and pay an annual charge. See Defra website.

Local authorities rate installations as high, medium or low risk. This is based on two things. First, what the environmental impact would be if something went wrong. Second, how reliable and effective the operator of the installation is. The annual charge is lower for low- and medium-risk installations. The risk rating of the installation will decide the number of inspections it receives in a year.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that Waltham Forest Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within twenty eight working days contact us:

Email air.quality@walthamforest.gov.uk
Phone 020 8496 3000

If your permit is refused

An applicant who is refused a permit may appeal to the Secretary of State. Appeals must be lodged no later than 6 months from the date of the decision.

Register

» View Waltham Forest's list of Registered Part B Permitted Premises (52KB PDF file)

Currently there are no A2 industrial premises in the borough of Waltham Forest.

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