If your business activities could pollute air, water or land, increase flood risk, or affect land drainage, you’re likely to need an environmental permit. Operating without one when you should hold one is a criminal offence and can result in enforcement action, so getting your environmental permit application right from the outset matters.
Our environmental consultants identify which permits, consents or exemptions apply to your operations, prepare and submit your application, and deal directly with regulatory bodies on your behalf. Several of our consultants have worked for regulatory bodies themselves, so they understand what a compliant application needs to look like from both sides of the desk.
Do I need an environmental permit?
You’ll need a permit if your business operations could:
- Pollute the air, water or land.
- Increase flood risk.
- Adversely affect land drainage.
This covers a broad range of activities, from waste operations and discharges to water, to processes carried out at a regulated facility. Whether you need a standard rules permit, a bespoke environmental permit, or qualify for an exemption depends on the nature and scale of your activity and the environmental risk it presents.
Key benefits of our environmental permit application service
- Confirm your business holds the correct permit for its activities.
- Identify which permit, consent or exemption applies to you.
- Hands-on support through every stage of the application.
- Expert guidance from consultants who’ve worked on both sides of the regulatory relationship.
- A single point of contact liaising with the Environment Agency or your regulator.
What to expect from our environmental permit application service
Operating without a required permit is unlawful, and permits establish legal limits on the types and amounts of pollutants an activity can release. To give you peace of mind that your business holds the correct permits, our environmental consultants can:
- Identify the permits, discharge consents or exemptions required for your business activities and processes.
- Prepare and submit application forms and supporting documentation.
- Liaise with the relevant regulatory bodies on your behalf.
- Collate and produce a desktop site condition report.
- Carry out risk assessments (e.g. H1, Best Available Techniques).
- Develop odour and noise management plans.
Choosing the right permit route and permit variation
There are a number of different permits, and depending on your activity and the pollution risk, you’ll need to apply to the relevant regulatory body (i.e. the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, the local authority or your water authority). Some projects may also need other consents, such as Marine and Fisheries Permits for fishing or offshore construction activities.
Lower-risk activities are often covered by a standard rules permit, while more complex or higher-risk operations typically require a bespoke environmental permit tailored to your specific processes and environmental risk profile. We can advise on the appropriate permit and guide the applicant through the entire environmental permit application process, including demonstrating that activities will be properly managed to meet permit conditions and the relevant regulations.
Permit variations for existing permits
Where your existing permit is already in place but your operations are changing, a permit variation, whether a normal or substantial variation, may be needed rather than a fresh application. Changes at installations such as factories may require this route, and we can advise on which applies to your circumstances.
Preparing your evidence and supporting documentation
A strong environmental permit application rests on the quality of the supporting documents and evidence behind it. Depending on your activity, this may include a desktop site condition report, environmental risk assessments, and odour or noise management plans. The evidence package may need to assess risks to air, land, water and groundwater, depending on the activity involved.
Submission and regulator liaison
Once your application and supporting documentation are ready, we apply through the regulator’s online service or the relevant route on your behalf, and we act as your single point of contact with the regulator throughout the process. This includes responding to any queries the regulator raises, so your application progresses without unnecessary delay.
Because several of our consultants have worked within regulatory bodies themselves, we understand how applications are assessed and what additional information a regulator is likely to request.
Ongoing support after your permit is granted
Securing your permit isn’t necessarily the end of the process. Businesses often need ongoing support to maintain compliance, respond to permit variations as operations change, or demonstrate continued adherence to the conditions attached to their permit, especially where a business continues to treat, store, transfer, or dispose of waste under an environmental permit.
Our service is delivered by a team of environmental experts, including consultants with experience working for and with regulatory bodies, who will ensure your business operates with the correct permit, leaving you free to concentrate on your core activities.
Further information
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