The Permitting Company provide Environmental Permit Application services to existing and new operators who are required to apply for a bespoke environmental permit
Bespoke Permits
A bespoke environmental permit is a requirement for operators where the site activities or location don’t fit within the rules of a standard permit. Standard Rules permits are less complicated than bespoke permits, and therefore require less technical assessment from the Environment Agency. It also means less management systems need to be complied with in the running of the site, and therefore makes it easier to comply with the rules of the permit. Bespoke permits are far more technical and complicated due to the specific nature of the operation or proximity to receptors.
Bespoke permits are exactly as it sounds, bespoke. The entire application is written around the specifics of the site, and therefore you can decide on the waste types, tonnages, treatment techniques, and more. Bespoke permits are typically required where the operation is larger than usual, and tonnages received and processed exceed the limits set out in a standard rules permit. This is not always the case though, sometimes the operation can be on a small scale, but the site location is within the proximity of a receptor that the Environment Agency considers to be a priority in terms of protection, and therefore the operator is required to make a bespoke application to show the regulator how the site will protect that receptor.
The operation could also be an uncommon activity and there isn’t a standard rules that fits the operation. During the pre-application stages, all of these things should be considered to determine if a bespoke permit is required. Before submitting an application for a permit, it’s always advisable to speak with a consultancy such as us to check your site meets the location criteria and that you can comply with the rules within your permit. Failing to meet the criteria can result in your application being rejected.
Environmental Permit Application Process
A clear, step-by-step approach so you know what to expect.
Step 1 — Pre-Application
Location screening, receptor checks (SAC / SPA / SSSI / MCZ), flood risk, groundwater protection, species & habitat considerations and an initial review of the waste types and treatment techniques.
Step 2 — Forms & Charges
We prepare Part A, Part F1 and the relevant B forms based on your permit type.
Step 3 — Site Plans & Maps
Scaled Site Layout, Sensitive Receptor (1km) and Site Location plans that meet regulator expectations.
Step 4 — Operating Techniques
Bespoke EMS, Fire Prevention, Dust/Odour/Noise plans and other management systems to control emissions.
Step 5 — Operator Competence
We support operators to meet CIWM WAMITAB competence requirements (via Enviroawards Ltd).
Step 6 — Submission & Approval
We submit the complete application for assessment — once approved you can legally accept waste.
Step 1 Pre-application
When applying for a bespoke permit it’s always advisable to engage the regulator via their enhanced pre-application service. This is to ask relevant questions about the application and to confirm exactly what documents they require. Through doing this the permit fees can also be calculated. Enhanced pre-application advice is a chargeable service from the Environment Agency.
The regulator will confirm the predicted amount of time it will take them in issuing the advice, along with an estimation of their fees. If the pre-application advice is relatively straight forward then the amount of time it will take them can be between 1 – 2 hours. If the advice needed is complicated due to the questions being asked to them, it can sometimes equate to many hours of their time. The Environment Agency charge £100.00 per hour.
There are various factors to consider at this stage which will feed into the outcome of the application. This includes being equipped to produce all the management systems that the regulator requests and also understanding the timeframes associated with completing the application ready for submission. It’s also worth noting that the estimated timeframes for a bespoke application to be assessed and determined by the regulators needs to be taken into account as it can often take many months before this happens. This is important for you as a business so that you can forward plan with these timeframes in mind.
There are various factors to consider at this stage which will feed into the outcome of the pre-application.
This includes:
The types of waste the operator is to accept
The amount of waste the operator accepts each year
The treatment techniques applied to the waste
The amount of waste that will be treated each day for recovery or disposal
Depending on the type of operation and location, you will be required to submit different types of management systems to support the application.
Failing to establish this before applying for the permit could lead to the applicant failing to meet the requirements at the ‘Duly Making’ stage, and the application being rejected/returned.
Stage 2 Completing the Relevant Forms
The application for Bespoke Environmental Permit will require the following forms to be completed and returned the Environment Agency:
Part A
About you
Part A form is relevant for all applications which include:
for a new permit
to change (vary) an existing permit
to cancel (surrender) your permit
to transfer an existing permit to yourself
Part F1
Charges and Declarations
The application fees must be calculated based on the permit you are applying for such as:
The activity codes in relevant to the application
What Management Systems are required to be submitted for assessment
Part B2 to B7
Bespoke Permit, or, B1 for Standard Facilities, or B3 for Installations
The application forms will vary depending on the type of permit being applied for. In general, the form requires information to be given about the:
Permit
Site
General information
Environmental Risk Assessment
Your ability as an operator
Waste management plan checklist
Date of birth information for relevant offences and/or technical ability
B4 New Bespoke Waste Operation
B4 requires information to be given about the:
Point Source Emissions to air, water and land
Operating Techniques
Monitoring
Tonnages and Waste Types
Recovery and Disposal Codes
Stage 3 Site Plans and Maps
The application will require the following site plans and maps:
Sensitive Receptor Plan:
Site Layout Plan:
Stage 4 Operating Techniques/Written Management Systems
Bespoke Permits Must operate in accordance with a written management system which identified risks to the environment and minimises those risks through the implementation of control measures. There are number of management systems which could be required to form part of the application such as:
Environmental Management System (EMS)
Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)
Dust Emissions Management Plan (DEMP)
Odour Management Plan
Noise/Vibration Management Plan
Demonstrating that the site can operate in a manner that controls the risk of pollution to air, water, and land through the submission of these documents is a requirement from the Environment Agency
The application will also require a Site Condition Report to show the current contamination levels of the site.
These management systems are bespoke to the operation and capture of the relevant information about the operating techniques and emissions that can be produced from the site. If the site has point source emissions from the activity, the emissions points will be included into the permit and it will require periodic monitoring to ensure the emissions limits are not exceeded.
The management systems required for the bespoke permit will be established during the pre-application stages.
Stage 5 Operator Competence
Part of the application process is demonstrating to the regulator that an approved competence scheme is being complied with. This scheme is run by the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) and is a level 4 qualification which is completed via a CIWM approved training provider. Our affiliate company Enviroawards Limited is part of this network and is one of the largest providers of this qualification.
We have helped hundreds of operators up and down the country in becoming qualified to satisfy this requirement, Moreover, we ensure TCM’s have a deep understanding of permit compliance to prepare them for EA audit visits. For more information, please visit https://enviroawardsltd.co.uk/wamitab-training/
Stage 6 Submission
Once the application forms, site plans and management systems have been prepared then we will submit the application . The regulator will then assess the application to determine if the site can operate to required standards.
Our Services
The Permitting Company have a 100% success rate in getting Environmental Permits issued to operators. All we need is your time in explaining your proposed activity and we will take care of the rest.
There are different Competent Authorities which are responsible for regulating waste management facilities and issuing Environmental Permits. Depending on your location, following competent authority are:
Environment Agency (EA) England
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Wales
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scotland
The Permitting Company have worked with all the relevant Competent Authorities and understand the different application processes required to satisfy laws in each jurisdiction.
Types of Applications We Complete
The Permitting Company have worked with many operators to get them a permit to operate a regulated waste management facility. Some of the types of permits we have completed are:
End-of-Life Vehicle facilities
Tyre yards
WEEE ATF’s and WEEE AATF’s
Battery Treatment Sites
Scrap Metal Sites
Asbestos Transfer Stations
Composting Facilities
Wood Recyclers
Hazardous Waste Treatment & Transfer Sites
Clinical/Healthcare Waste Sites
Skip Yards
Industrial, Commercial & Household Waste Facilities
Please visit our Testimonials page for more information.
Fees:
The Permitting Company are one of the most competitively priced permitting consultancies in United Kingdom. Because every site and application is unique, there are no standard prices when it comes to applications for Environmental Permits. Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion