Permitting service levels in Natural Resources Wales
This change means that customers will have a single, clear response on permit applications and no longer have to apply to a number of different organisations to undertake certain activities.
Monitoring performance
We will be monitoring regulatory performance very closely and will provide a high quality service that meets the requirements of both the environment and businesses in Wales. Table 1 details many of the regulatory regimes that we are responsible for and the timescales we will work to.
Timescales
If you need an application determined in less than the timescales in Table 1, then please discuss this with us at the time of submission.
We recommend that you apply for permits in good time (ideally having sought pre-application advice from us), with all the necessary information and have regard for the determination timescales. Applications that are complex, have a high level of public interest, or potentially impact on a sensitive location may require a longer period to determine than that set out in Table 1.
Managing your application
When you submit a permit application to us, you will be contacted by one of our officers who will be responsible for the determination of your application. That officer will explain to you how the application will be processed, how they can be contacted and what the deadlines are for determination. They will also discuss with you your expectations.
You will be kept up to date throughout the determination process so you are aware how your application is progressing.
Table 1. Statutory determination timescales.
| Permit/Consent/Authorisation | Statutory Determination Period or Service Level | Permit regime |
|---|---|---|
|
Waste Permit NRW Variation |
no time frame |
Waste |
|
Waste Recovery Plans |
no time frame |
Waste |
|
Waste Bespoke Permit |
4 months |
Waste |
|
Waste Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
Waste |
|
Waste Permit Variation |
3 Months or 4 months with consultation |
Waste |
|
Waste Permit Transfer |
2 Months |
Waste |
|
Waste Permit Surrender |
3 months |
Waste |
|
T11 Waste Exemption |
25 working days |
Waste |
|
Cat A Mining Waste Facilities |
9 months |
Waste |
|
Mobile Plant Deployments |
25 working Days |
Waste |
|
Mobile Plant Deployments |
25 working Days |
Waste/ PS |
|
Waste recovery plan assessment |
25 working days |
Waste |
|
RSR New Bespoke Permit |
4 months |
Installations |
|
RSR Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
Installations |
|
RSR Permit Variation |
3 months |
Installations |
|
RSR Permit Surrender |
3 months |
Installations |
|
RSR Permit Transfer |
2 Months |
Installations |
|
Installation Bespoke Permit |
4 Months |
Installations |
|
Installation Substantial Variation |
4 Months |
Installations |
|
Installation Standard Rule Permit |
3 Months |
Installations |
|
Installation Permit Variation |
3 Months |
Installations |
|
Installation Permit Surrender |
3 months |
Installations |
|
Installation Permit Transfer |
2 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant / Specified Generator Bespoke Permit |
4 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant / Specified Generator Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant / Specified Generator Permit Variation |
3 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant Substantial Variation |
4 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant / Specified Generator Permit Transfer |
2 months |
Installations |
|
Medium Combustion Plant / Specified Generator Permit Surrender |
3 months |
Installations |
|
Felling Licences |
91 days (13 weeks) |
Felling Licence |
|
EIA (Forestry) Determinations |
28 working days |
Felling Licence |
|
Forest Management Plan |
16 weeks |
Felling Licence |
|
Protected Species Licence |
30 working days |
Species Licence |
|
European Protected Species - development, conservation projects and forestry |
40 working days |
Species Licence |
|
European Protected Species - preserving public health or public safety. |
30 working days |
Species Licence |
|
European Protected Species (Marine) |
40 working days |
Species Licence |
|
Bird control licence - preserving public health or public safety, protecting fisheries, conserving wild birds, protecting crops, stock, foodstuffs for stock or preventing the spread of disease. |
40 working days |
Species Licence |
|
Badger development licence |
40 working days |
Species Licence |
|
Protected Species License amendment (simple) |
15 working days |
Species Licence |
|
Protected Species License amendment (complex) |
30 working days |
Species Licence |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme - New Entrants Reserve (Significant Capacity Extension) |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Allocation Level Changes Review |
4 Months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Annual Emmissions Monitoring Review |
4 Months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Variation Minor |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Variation Substantial |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Transfer |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Amalgamation Transfer |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Surrender |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Revocation |
2 months |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
E.U Emissions Trading Scheme Notification |
6 weeks |
UK Emissions Trading Scheme |
|
Water Resources Hydro Electric Power |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Abstraction |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Impoundment |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Temporary Licence |
20 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Transitional Licence (new authorisations) |
During the period 01 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Revocation of Abstraction Licence |
20 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Revocation of Impoundment Licence |
4 months |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Administration Variation, including apportionments |
20 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Transfer of Licence Holder and vesting a licence |
10 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Two-Part Tariff |
20 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Pre-Application (hydropower) |
45 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Pre-Application (non-Hydropower) |
45 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Water Resources Groundwater Investigation Consent |
45 working days |
Water Resources |
|
Bespoke Sheep Dip |
4 months |
Water Quality |
|
Sheep Dip Variation |
4 months with advertisement 3 months without |
Water Quality |
|
Permit Surrender |
20 working days |
Water Quality |
|
Permit Transfer |
20 working days |
Water Quality |
|
Permit Variation |
4 months with advertisement 3 months without |
Water Quality |
|
Permit Variation Admin |
3 months |
Water Quality |
|
Permit Bespoke |
4 months |
Water Quality |
|
Permit NRW Variation |
3 months |
Water Quality |
|
Water Industry Act 166a |
7 and 14 days |
Water Quality |
|
Water Industry Act 166b |
3 months |
Water Quality |
|
Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
Water Quality |
|
Marine Licences Band 2 |
4 months |
Marine Licences |
|
Marine Licences Band 1 |
6 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Marine Licences Band 3 |
no time frame |
Marine Licences |
|
Variation 0 (NRW led) |
no time frame |
Marine Licences |
|
Variation 1 (admin) |
21 days |
Marine Licences |
|
Variation 2 (complex) (B2/B3) |
4 months/no time frame |
Marine Licences |
|
Variation 3 (routine) |
8 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Transfer Variation |
21 days |
Marine Licences |
|
Sample Plan Request |
4 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Discharge of conditions - Band 2 |
6 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Discharge of conditions - Band 3 |
no timescale |
Marine Licences |
|
Monitoring approval |
8 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Marine Licences Band 2 |
4 months; 6 months if a derogation is being sought |
Marine Licences |
|
Marine Licences Band 1 |
6 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Marine Licences Band 3 |
no time frame |
Marine Licences |
|
Monitoring approval |
8 weeks |
Marine Licences |
|
Screening Opinion |
90 days |
Marine Licences |
|
Scoping Opinion |
90 days |
Marine Licences |