Local Authority - Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-PPC)
Regulations made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 require a range of industrial processes with the potential to cause pollution, to obtain a permit before operating.
The Environmental Protection Team controls approximately 70 processes, which include industries such as:
- bulk cement production
- rubber processing
- timber processing
- timber coating
- vehicle respraying
- galvanising
- printing works
- printing ink production
- roadstone coating
- animal feed production
- metal decontamination
- mobile crushing
- waste oil burners
Routine compliance inspections are undertaken to ensure these processes comply with conditions set in order to minimise the release of pollutants to the environment.
Permits also ensure that the legislative requirements of for example, the Clean Air Act or nuisance legislation are met, as once a permit has been granted action cannot be taken under these laws.
The Council ensures the processes are operated using Best Available Techniques. The purpose of this is to prevent and minimise the emissions of prescribed substances and to render harmless any substance that may be emitted.
Copies of permits are placed in the Public Register held at the Environmental & Community Health Services Department of this Council. The Register also includes evidence of compliance and any Notices served on the operators.
New applications are advertised in a local newspaper, placed on the Public Register and various statutory bodies (the Environment Agency, English Nature, the Primary Care Trust, etc) are consulted.