ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING - 23.09.2020

EA permit advice suspended

The Environment Agency (EA) has suspended its free advice service for permit applications. How can you ensure that your application is approved?

Suspension. For those looking for a permit to make an installation that might have an impact on the environment - such as an incinerator or waste facility - there is bad news. You will no longer be able to benefit from the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) free pre-application advice. It has temporarily cut its advisory services for businesses applying for an A1 installation permit because of reduced capacity as a result of coronavirus. The situation will be reviewed in February 2021.

Note. A1 installations are needed by organisations with industrial processes, or to cover certain waste management activities. Businesses have to apply for either a standard rules or bespoke permit.

What help is available? The EA has always asked firms to fill in a pre-application form. But now only projects associated with heritage or nature conservation will get the free pre-application advice. Everybody else will just be given a document with some generic advice (see The next step ).

Warning. Don’t let the lack of pre-application advice deter you from making a submission. You will be breaking the law if you operate an A1 installation without an environmental permit.

Tip. You can still pay to have any specific technical questions answered by the EA’s experts. But even this service will be limited. The enhanced pre-application advice service costs £100 per hour plus VAT.

Tip. Alternatively, appoint an environmental consultant who can guide you through the application process. If you make mistakes on your application, there will be delays to your permit being issued which will have knock-on effects on your business operations.

For a link to Environmental permit: pre-application advice - latest, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 15, issue 4.

The EA is offering limited support, but this costs £100 per hour. As this can be a complex process, it may be beneficial to use the services of an environmental consultant to help you through it.

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