Many industrial processes have potential to cause pollution to air, land and water. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and later the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 states that certain industrial processes require “authorisation” or “permits” so that the level of pollution arising from these processes can be controlled. Depending on the processes these permits are issued either by the Environment Agency or the local authority. There are currently three types of process classification. Part A1 processes are regulated by the Environment Agency while local authorities regulate Part A2 and Part B processes.

 

Leicester City Council is responsible for permitting Part B and Part A2 processes. There are currently over 80 Part B processes, and 3 Part A2 processes that are permitted within the city. These include activities such as car spraying, crematoria, dry cleaning, unloading of petrol at petrol stations, and waste oil burners.

 

Any person operating a process for which a permit is required must submit an application, with a fee, to the relevant authority.  For Part A2 and Part B processes, the relevant authority is Leicester City Council. The authority will then issue a permit in accordance with Government guidance, which will include a number of conditions.  The operator of the process must then comply with the permit conditions and it is the role of the Pollution Team to inspect the processes to ensure compliance.  The authority may refuse to grant the licence if they believe that the person will not be able to comply with conditions it may impose.  The local authority has the power to prosecute operators who do not comply with the conditions of the permit.

 

Local Authorities are also required to maintain a public register containing information on all the processes that are permitted. To view the public register please use the links on the left, permit holders are listed according to the type of process that they operate.

 

Further information on pollution prevention and control is available on the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.

 

Below is a link detailing companies in Leicester that hold permits under The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.