Environmental Permits
Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and
Control (LA-IPPC) and Local Authority Pollution Prevention and
Control (LAPPC)
The Local Authority is responsible for two
pollution control regulatory regimes introduced under the Pollution
Prevention and Control Act 1999. A1 installations are covered by a
system called Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC),
these are regulated by the Environment Agency. These systems are
being used to replace the pollution control regime set up under
Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The transfer will
be completed by 2007. The IPPC and LA-IPPC systems are the means by
which the Government has implemented the European Union Integrated
Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (96/61/EC) (IPPC
Directive).
The above requires the operators of specified
industrial and other installations to obtain a permit to operate.
Once an application is made the Local Authority will decide to
issue or refuse a permit. If a permit is issued, it will include
conditions aimed at reducing and preventing pollution. The detailed
legal requirements for installations covered by LA-IPPC and LAPPC
are contained in the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and
Wales) Regulations 2000, as amended.
LA-IPPC
LA-IPPC applies an integrated environmental
approach to the regulation of certain industrial activities (A2
installations). It involves determining the appropriate control for
industry to protect the environment through a single permitting
process. This means that emissions to air, water (including
discharges to sewer) and land, plus a range of other activities
with an environmental impact, must be considered together. It also
means that the Local Authority must set permit conditions so as to
achieve a high level of protection for the environment as a whole.
These conditions must be based on the use of the ‘Best Available
Techniques’ (BAT), which balances the costs to the operator against
the benefits to the environment.
LAPPC
LAPPC applies to installations whose air
emissions are regulated by the Local Authority. The Council
holds a public register of all authorised processes in the
county.
Permitted Processes in Northumberland
There are over 120 permitted processes in
Northumberland. A list of these is available from the link
below.
A list of permitted processes in
Northumberland can be viewed here.
If you wish to apply for a permit, vary it or
surrender a permit click
here.
Information about the present charging scheme for the
environmental permitting regime can be found here.
It you wish discuss an existing permit or have any questions
regarding environmental permits then please telephone 0845 600 6400
and ask to speak to a member of the Central Environmental
Protection Team.
