Environmental permits

There are some industrial processes which have the potential to cause significant pollution and harm to the environment.

We issue permits that place conditions on the industries. They are designed to prevent harm to human health and minimise the impact on the environment.

Depending on the type of industrial process and its potential to cause pollution, the permits are issued and controlled by us or the Environment Agency.

Permits are issued with conditions which:

• regulate the management of the site
• limit emissions
• include other process controls which the site operator must comply with

Who needs a permit

Some business operations need an environmental permit.

You can find more details of who on GOV.UK’s check if you need an environmental permit page.

Types of permit

If you operate an industrial process that falls under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 you will need to apply for an environmental permit.

There are 3 types of permits.

Part A1 permits

These are regulated by the Environment Agency and cover industries that are considered to be the most polluting, such as large scale power stations, chemical works and pharmaceutical production.

A1 premises are regulated for emissions to air, land, water and other environmental considerations such as noise, vibrations, waste and energy usage.

Part A2 permits

This category is regulated by us and is seen as a medium risk to the environment and human health.

If you operate a galvanizer for example, you may be regulated as an A2 premises. A2 premises are also regulated for emissions to air, land, water and other environmental considerations.

Part B permits

These industries are regulated by us and are considered to be less polluting.

Industries such as quarries, cement batching plants, coating material manufacture, animal feed manufacture and crematoria will fall into this category and they are only regulated for emissions to air.

Reduced fee activities and permits

Some industries are seen as significantly less technically complex than other activities. This poses a very low risk to the environment and come under their own reduced fee category.

In most cases this requires the operators of these installations to comply with a model permit and to pay a reduced fee.

Currently this category includes dry cleaners, petrol stations, concrete batching and most vehicle refinishing activities.

Apply for a permit

To request an application form for a new permit, change of operator, a variation or surrender and for information on fees, email environmental.protection@southglos.gov.uk.

When your form is complete, send it by:

• email using the email address above
• post: South Gloucestershire Council, Department for Place, 1954, Bristol, BS37 0DD

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) sets fees and charges annually for:

• new applications
• annual subsistence
• variations
• transfer of operator
• surrender of permits

Permitted sites

View our list of part A2 and B permitted sites.

You can email environmental.protection@southglos.gov.uk to request a copy of a permit or view our public register.

Public consultation

There are currently no public consultations.