Permits
The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 and the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 regulate the industrial activities that potentially release significant emissions.
UK and EU law defines the activities that are regulated.
- Large scale, more polluting sites (known as Part A1 processes) are regulated by the Environment Agency
- Smaller scale, less polluting sites (known as Part A2 and Part B processes) are regulated by local councils
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has published information about Environmental permitting. The information includes fees and charges.
Current consultations
Public registers
The Councils currently permit processes that include:
- cement batching plants
- petrol stations
- dry cleaners
- vehicle respraying
- manufacturing of paints and other coating materials
- Installations regulated by Babergh District Council
- Installations regulated by Mid Suffolk District Council
Access the Environment Agency's public register
Public Registers kept by the Environment Agency and the Councils contain information about permits for the processes they regulate.
Copies of permit documents for Part B sites regulated by the Councils can be viewed at our offices:
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
IP1 2BX
Permit documents for Part A2 sites regulated by the Councils:
- Risk rating 18 October 2022
- Site visit report 18 October 2022
- Risk rating 12 October 2021
- Site visit report 12 October 2021
- Permit
Exemptions for waste treatment
Some waste treatment activities are covered by the regulations. However, as they pose a low risk to the environment and human health, they may not need to have an environmental permit.
Read our Environmental permits - Exemptions for waste treatment guidance
Application forms
Please contact us to request an application form to register for a new Part A2 or Part B environmental permit.
Below are other commonly used forms for Part B processes, which can be downloaded and completed. Alternatively, please contact us to request a form.
- Variation to a Part B Permit
- Variation to a Part B petrol station Permit to add Stage II vapour recovery
- Transfer of a Part B Permit
- Surrender of a Part B Permit
- Registering a Waste Exemption
Fees and charges for permits
The form comes with a single application fee. No application has been ‘duly made’ until the correct fee has been received.
Once a permit is issued, there is also an annual subsistence charge payable to the local authority.
2023-24 Fees and Charges for Part A2 and Part B Permits
This subsistence charge is based on the outcome of a risk rating method. Please read details of this by accessing the documents (produced by DEFRA) below:
Chimney height approval
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, some chimneys that serve industrial or business furnaces or boilers, need approval from the local authority before use.
The local authority will need to check for adequate dispersion of flue gases, so that nuisance is avoided.
This applies to chimneys (serving industrial or business furnaces or boilers) used to burn the following fuels:
- pulverised fuel;
- any other solid matter at a rate of 45.4kg/hr or more;
- any liquid or gaseous matter at a rate of 366.4kW/hr or more.
Applications for chimney height approval
Applications should be made using the form below. There is no charge for this.
Chimney Height Approval Application Form
The Councils aim to make a decision on any application within 4 weeks. Sometimes, more information may be needed during the application process.
Applicants should use the 3rd Edition of the Clean Air Act Memorandum on Chimney Heights to establish the height of any chimney proposed. Applicants may need to submit details of the calculation.