Industrial emissions / LAPPC permits

The permitted premises in Central Bedfordshire are regularly inspected by our officers to ensure that operators are complying with the conditions of their permits.

Find out how to apply for a permit, if you already know which one you need.

Why permits are needed

All industrial processes have the potential to release pollution to land, water and air, as well as damaging the environment. This pollution can pose a risk to human health.

To minimise and manage potential environmental impacts from industry, certain processes are regulated under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. Businesses may need to be regulated due to what they do, or because they operate above a certain threshold.

How permits work

It is an offence for any person or company to operate a permitted activity, without a valid environmental permit.

The regulatory responsibility for managing environmental permits is split between us (Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control, or LAPPC Permits) and the Environment Agency:

• Part A1 industrial processes: Check if you need a permit via the Environment Agency who regulates the larger and more polluting industries, such as landfill sites, metal production and processing, power stations and chemical and mineral industries
• Part A2 industrial processes: We regulate the medium risk industrial processes in terms of controlling the emissions to air, land and water as well as noise, vibration, odour, waste disposal and energy efficiency. Part A2 processes include foundries, glass making, galvanising, rendering, animal carcass incineration, ceramics and roadstone coating
• Part B industrial processes: We also regulate the lower risk industrial processes in terms of controlling emissions to air. Part B processes include petrol stations, concrete crushers, vehicle re-sprayers and dry cleaners

Find out how to apply for a permit

A Crown Court can issue the maximum penalty for the offence of operating without a permit, which is an unlimited fine and / or up to 5 years' imprisonment. A magistrates' court can issue a maximum penalty of up to a £50,000 fine and / or up to 6 months' imprisonment.