If you want to carry out an activity that isn’t currently covered by your environmental permit, you need to apply to have it added before you start. As your business evolves – new equipment, additional waste streams, a change to your discharge – your permit needs to keep pace, or you risk operating outside its conditions.
Our consultants manage permit variation applications end to end, from working out whether your change counts as minor, normal or substantial, through to liaising with regulatory bodies on your behalf.
When do you need a permit variation?
You should apply to vary your permit before you make changes to your operations that need new or amended conditions – for example, expanding your operations, changing the types of waste you handle, or modifying a discharge to water. Administrative changes, such as an update to your company details, are also handled through a variation.
Environment Agency variations fall into three categories:
- Minor variation – administrative-only changes, such as a site boundary update, that don’t increase environmental risk.
- Normal variation – changes that may increase environmental risk, require new management plans, or modify permitted activities.
- Substantial variation – where the regulator needs to carry out significant assessment, such as a change that could have a significant effect on human health or the environment.
Fees differ by category and regulator. We’ll confirm what to expect before you commit to an application, so there are no surprises.
It’s also possible to transfer your permit, or part of it, to somebody else at any time – for example, when a business or site changes hands. Your consultant can help gather the relevant information from your business and the party you’re transferring to, to keep the process straightforward.
Key benefits of our Permit Variation service
- Ensure your permit covers all your current activities and risks
- Make changes to your permit without unnecessary delay
- Expert guidance on which variation category applies to your change
- A dedicated consultant managing the process from application to approval
