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Environmental permitting

Some industries use processes that have the potential to cause significant harm to the environment, either land air and/or water. Since the introduction of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and later the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 or by regulations made under them, businesses which use these processes have to apply for a permit to operate.

Sites with the potential to have a greater impact on the environment are known as Part A1 processes and these are regulated by the Environment Agency which controls emissions to land air and water, as well as noise and energy.

The other installations are regulated by the Local Authority and these are either A2 processes, where the permit covers emissions to land air water energy and noise, or Part B processes where the permit covers emissions to air only. Part B processes include timber treatment, dry cleaning, waste oil burners, mobile concrete crushing units and the unloading of petrol at petrol stations. There are over 40 Part B processes within Tandridge, but currently no A2.

Any person who wishes to operate a process that requires a permit must submit an application for an environmental permit, a waste oil burner permit, a petrol vapour recovery permit or a dry cleaner permit, as appropriate, with a fee, to the local authority. The authority must then issue an authorisation in accordance with government guidance. The permit will include conditions that the operator of the process will need to comply with and they will all be subject to regular inspections to ensure that this is the case. Advice notes for Environmental Permit Operators.

Local Authorities are also required to maintain a public register (This link will open in a new window) containing information on the prescribed processes within the district. A hard copy of the public register can also be viewed at the council offices. If you wish to view it, please telephone environmental health on 01883 732841 to make an appointment.

A new permit application to operate a mortar batching plant has been received from Sevenoaks Mortar Plant, Moorhouse. The application can be viewed at the council offices by appointment

Electronic Applications

Electronic applications can be made via Gov.uk.

Environmental Permit Part A2 Application (This link will open in a new window)

Environmental Permit Part B Application (This link will open in a new window)

Environmental Permit Annual Subsistence Charge (This link will open in a new window)

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is illegal to operate a permitted process without a permit being issued.

No new installation or substantial change to an existing installation may be operated without a permit or variation. It is an offence under EP regulation 38(1)(a) to operate a regulated facility without a permit and to the extent authorised by that permit.

In the event that new categories of activity are subsequently added by future amendments to the EP Regulations, those amendment Regulations are likely to include deadlines by which applications must be made for new and existing installations.

If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us using the details at the bottom of the page.

For further information please contact Environmental Health on 01883 732841 or e-mail eh@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted Surrey RH8 0BT

Maps and directions to our offices.

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