Environmental Permitting

  • Environmental Permitting Header showing smoke billowing from an industrial complex

Environmental Permitting Consultants

You may need an Environmental Permit if you carry out activities which have the potential to harm the environment or human health, as prescribed in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012. If you’re operating without the required Permit you could be asked to cease your operation or be prosecuted.

What is an Environmental Permit?

An Environmental Permit is a document that regulators issue to certain operators in order to appropriately manage those activities that have the potential to harm the environment or human health and impose a series of conditions that the operators must comply with. 

Environmental permits are required for a wide range of installations and activities (known as “regulated facilities”), as prescribed in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (as amended) and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012. 

What are the types of Environmental Permits and how are they enforced?

In England and Wales, there are essentially three types of Environmental Permits under the current Environmental Permitting regime. These are classed as Part A(1), Part A(2) and Part B Permits, depending on the level of risk associated with the activity undertaken, and are enforced by different regulators. 

Part A(1) Permits are required for those activities that pose a higher potential risk of harming the environment or human health, and are therefore regulated by National Environmental Regulators (e.g. Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales). Lower-risk activities might require Part A(2) or Part B Permits and these are regulated by the Local Authorities (e.g. City Borough Council). 

In Scotland, Permits are also classed as Part A or B activities, however, all activities are regulated by their National Regulator, SEPA.

How can we help?

Delta-Simons can help you determine whether you need a permit and if you do, apply for one on your behalf. Alternatively, if you’re looking to expand your operations or your operations are coming to a close, we can guide you and help you through the permit variation or surrender processes and ensure you meet the expectations of your Regulator. 

Our Consultants work with numerous regulated facilities under the current Environmental Permitting regime and regularly provide support with Bespoke and Standard Rules Permit applications, Minor and Substantial variations, as well as full or partial surrenders and permit exemptions. A vast amount of information and evidence is required for permit applications and for demonstrating compliance with permit conditions when operating. Delta-Simons can support you with this, examples may include:

What are my responsibilities?

If you operate a facility that falls within the scope of the current Environmental Permitting regime, it is your responsibility to obtain a relevant Environmental Permit or Exemption issued by the relevant Regulator, and to comply with the conditions detailed in the Permit. 

Operating a regulated facility without the required Environmental Permit or in breach of compliance of its conditions might lead to operators being asked to cease operations or being prosecuted.

Want to partner with an environmentally conscious, holistic environmental health and safety services supplier? Get in touch with our team.