Information needed in an installations Environmental Permit application
Before you start your installation Environmental Permit application, you should ensure you have the following information to hand.
Personal and company information
- Applicant type (individual, organisation, public body, or registered company)
- Full name, title, address, postcode, contact number, and email
- For organisations: details of all partners
- For public bodies: executive officer's details
- For companies: registration number, date of registration
- Consultant or agent details (if applicable)
- Operational contact person details
- Billing contact details
Site and activity details
- Pre-application advice reference number (if any)
- Site name, address, postcode, and national grid reference
- Site plan showing boundaries and emission points
- Site condition report (baseline report)
- Non-technical summary of proposed activities
- Description of main activity and directly associated activities
- Waste codes (if accepting waste)
- Site capacity for each regulated activity
- Relevant BAT Conclusions and Technical Guidance documents
How to mark a site plan
Follow these best practices when marking a site plan:
- Produce the site plan digitally using CAD or GIS software. This allows for accuracy and the ability to overlay other data layers if needed. Include a north arrow and map key/legend. Use an appropriate scale to show adequate detail.
- Mark the boundary of the permitted site in a bold, distinguishable line style. Green is recommended. If it is a multi-operator site, delineate the boundaries for each operator. List the environmental permit number for each boundary.
- Mark and label all regulated emission points, including stacks, vents, tanks, and wastewater discharge pipes. Include the national grid reference for each labelled point. This aids in inspectors identifying the exact location of each emission source.
- Show all relevant buildings, structures, roads, and features. If needed, different elevation layers can be used to display height details. Include any planned future development.
Non-technical summary
A non-technical summary is a plain language overview of your proposed project, written for a general audience. It should be concise (typically no more than one page) and avoid the use of jargon.
You should:
- Provide a brief description of where the site is located and how it is laid out.
- Explain the main activities that will take place at the site in simple, non-technical terms.
- Summarize the key control measures, standards, and technologies that will be used to manage and prevent emissions and protect the environment.
- Describe how the project will protect environmental quality, worker health and safety.
- Explain how the site will be managed and monitored to ensure compliance.
When writing your non-technical summary:
- Use short sentences and everyday language. Avoid technical terms and acronyms.
- Focus on the key points and keep explanations brief.
- Use examples or analogies to explain complex concepts.
- Be transparent about environmental, health and safety protections.
- Review the summary to ensure it is clear and concise for a general audience.
- Ask someone unfamiliar with the project to read it and provide feedback.
BAT conclusions
BAT conclusions documents are arranged by industrial sector and are available from UK government and EU websites.
Find UK BAT conclusions on Gov.uk
Demonstrating compliance with BAT
To get an environmental permit, you must demonstrate that your proposed techniques will meet the requirements set out in the relevant BAT conclusions. This involves:
- Identifying the appropriate BAT conclusions for your activity
- Comparing your proposed emission levels to the BAT-Associated Emission Levels (BAT-AELs) in the BAT conclusions.
- Showing that your techniques will achieve emission levels that do not exceed the BAT-AELs
Where there are no BAT AELs, you must still provide appropriate emission levels for your process.
Environmental assessments
- Environmental risk assessment summary
- Detailed modelling reports (if required):
- Air dispersion modelling
- Odour modelling
- Dust or fugitive emissions modelling
- Noise modelling
- Bioaerosol modelling
- Deposit for Recovery waste recovery assessment
- Water Framework Directive assessment
- Fire Protection and Mitigation Plan
- Habitats Regulations Assessment
Management systems
- ISO14001 certification number (if applicable)
- Summary of Environmental Management System (if not ISO14001 certified)
Additional information
- Details on substance release into sewers or coastal waters
- Information on nuclear site license or COMAH site status
- Air quality management area details (if applicable)
Medium Combustion Plants
If you have a Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) within your installation, please provide as an uploaded document within the application form, the following essential information:
- your name and registered office address, along with the location of the MCP, including the postcode and national grid reference (or latitude and longitude for mobile plants).
- technical specifications such as the net rated thermal input (MWth), type of combustion plant (e.g., diesel engine, gas turbine, etc.), and the types and proportions of fuels used.
- operational details like the expected start date, NACE code for the activity, and the anticipated annual operating hours and average load.
- any relevant convictions or bankruptcy proceedings concerning the operator or relevant personnel, as well as confirmation of a written management system.
- a signed declaration stating that your MCP will not operate more than the allowed 500 hours per year.
Operator suitability
- Information on relevant offences (if any)
- Technical ability evidence (qualifications or scheme registration)
- Bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings details (if applicable)
- Financial provision plan (for landfill or mining waste operations)
This list covers the main information and documents required for the application.
Applicants should ensure they have all relevant details and supporting documents prepared before starting the application process.