Local Authority Pollution Prevention & Control Permits
This Council must by law regulate certain types of factory and other activities such as dry cleaners. This is to reduce any pollution they may cause and, in particular, to help improve air quality.
Businesses, which operate these premises, must have a permit. Local authorities decide whether to give a permit. If they do so, they must write down how the pollution is to be minimised. Some are called 'Part B', and local authorities can only deal with air pollution from them. These are listed in the attached register (LAPPC permits). Many different sorts of pollution are controlled at 'Part A2' installations.
The Council can potentially deal with about 80 different types of installation. Glassworks and foundries, rendering plant and maggot breeders, petrol stations and concrete crushers, sawmills and paint manufacturers, are some of the sorts regulated. Regulations say exactly which installations need a permit. In several cases only bigger installations need one. If you want to know whether a particular installation needs a permit, ask your local authority or the Environment Agency.
Some other installations (known as ‘Part A1’) are regulated by the Environment Agency. They are usually larger or more complex.
To obtain a permit, the operator must first apply to Environmental Health team (01643 703704 or email customerservices@westsomerset.gov.uk). The applicant must pay a fee for doing so. This is to cover the local authority’s costs. The Regulations say what information must be in the application. The local authority must consider the application to decide whether or not to approve it.
If this authority decides to issue a permit, it must include conditions. These conditions will say how pollution is to be minimised. The Government has published guidance for each type of installation. This says what are likely to be the right pollution standards. Under the law, the standards must strike a balance between protecting the environment and the cost of doing so. This Council must by law have regard to the guidance. The authority must also consider particular any local sensitivity.
If this authority decides to refuse a permit, a business can appeal to the Government. A business can also appeal if it has received a permit but does not agree with any of the conditions. Once a permit is issued, the operator must comply with the permit conditions and pay an annual subsistence charge. This covers local authority costs of checking the permit is complied with.
The register opposite shows the risk rating for the LAPPC installations in the area, either 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.
If a business does not comply with its permit or operates without one, officers from Environmental Health can serve various sorts of legal notice. They can also take the business to Court. But the Council will generally try to work with businesses to solve problems, and only use tough measures as a last resort. The Environmental Health team can also often try to advise on money-saving ways of reducing pollution.
The legal side - you will find the law in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The Part B system is known as Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC). The A2 system is Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-IPPC). The Regulations also implement some European Community Directives.