Each council has responsibility for measuring the quality of ambient air to ensure that it meets required standards.
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Background to Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC)
Many industrial processes have potential to cause pollution to air, land and water. The control of this type of pollution was originally regulated under Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This was later replaced with The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 which were made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. On the 6th April 2008 the 2000 Regulations were replaced with the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulation 2007. The new Regulations, as their predecessor, are made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. The new Regulations do not significantly alter the workings of the previous regimes except that the new Regulations bring the former waste licensing system under this administration.
There are three pollution control systems in place, these are categorised as Part A1, Part A2 and Part B installations, depending on the type of industrial activity carried out.
The three systems are:
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), which covers Part A1 installations and is regulated by the Environment Agency. This regime controls all environmental emissions to air, water and land. Such installations are generally energy intensive or highly polluting. If you wish to contact the Environment Agency go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-IPPC) covers Part A2 installations and are regulated by the local authority. As with A1 installations all environmental impacts are controlled.
Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC) covers Part B installations, which are regulated by the local authority and controls only emissions to atmosphere.
Local authorities regulate about 80 different types of installations. This includes glassworks and foundries, rendering plant and maggot breeders, petrol stations and concrete crushers, sawmills and paint manufactures. Any person who operates or wishes to operate any of these types of installations must possess or apply for a permit to operate from the appropriate regulator.
A permit will include conditions covering the way in which the installation is to be operated, including transport movements, storage of waste and other materials and limits emissions. Permits will also ensure that the legislative requirements of for example, the Clean Air Act or nuisance legislation are met as once a permit has been granted, action cannot be taken under these laws.
Regulating Processes in Nuneaton and Bedworth
NBBC currently regulates one A2 ceramics process and about fifty Part B processes and these range from small processes such as dry cleaners, waste oil burners and petrol filling stations to larger installations such as vehicle refinishers, bulk cement batchers, foundries, a crematorium and factories undertaking the coating of metal, plastics and wood. The level of fees and charges for operating permitted processes are set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA. The current level of fees can be found on the DEFRA website www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/localauth/fees-risk/fees.htm
On receiving an application for a permit Environmental Protection must either grant the application with conditions or refuse the permit application. Conditions and emissions limits are set with reference to the relevant Process Guidance (PG) Note issued by DEFRA. Officers will check compliance with these conditions to ensure that emissions are minimised and kept within the prescribed limits. Each processes is inspected at least annually. Sites will also be inspected on complaint.
The applicant can appeal against the any of the conditions within a permit. Permits may also be varied, revoked or surrendered. Failure to obtain a necessary permit can result in prosecution, resulting in a possible fine of up to £50,000. Failing to meet the permit conditions may result in an enforcement notice requiring improvement or prohibition of activities.
The application forms needed to apply for a permit can be downloaded from the link provided below. It is strongly recommended that operators of industrial processes who wish to apply for a permit contact the Environmental Protection Team in the first instance to discuss their requirements in detail.
Local Authorities are also required to maintain a public register containing all the process that are permitted. To view the public register please click on the link located below.
