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Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC)
Part B Activities
The Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC) system was introduced under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act in 1990. The system controls emissions to the atmosphere from various industrial sectors covering approximately 45 individual industrial processes (known as "Part B activities") within Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough.
The details of these processes, the companies that carry them out, their location and the nature of what is emitted, can be found on the Public Register based at the Environmental Health Offices.
The LAPC system has recently gone through a transition to the broadly equivalent provisions of the Local Authority Pollution Prevention Control (LAPPC) system under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. The changes are implemented via the Pollution Prevention Control Regulations 2000 and have resulted in processes being issued with Permits to replace previous Authorisations.
PPC Part B Permits
Operators of prescribed activities must hold a current Permit issued by the Local Authority and comply with its conditions. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution.
Permits contain conditions on emission limits and controls, monitoring of emissions and abatement plant performance, good housekeeping and appropriate design of chimneys to disperse pollutants. Permits must have regard to the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT) to prevent or reduce emissions and the impact on the environment.
A programme of inspections (frequency dependant on risk assessment) of each installation is carried out each year by officers from Environmental Health. Random inspections and responses to any complaints also take place as necessary.
This enforcement activity is reported to the Council's Development Control and Environmental Protection Committee each year in the form of a Service Plan which reviews last years performance and sets out the objectives for the current year. The Prescribed Processes and Installations Enforcement Service Plan for 2007/08 can be accessed by clicking on the document below.
Emission control requirements can take several forms dependent on the industry sector. Monitoring of these emissions can range from visual inspection, through to indicative monitoring and fully quantitative monitoring with chemical analysis.
Part A2 Permits
Very large industrial operations such as Ironbridge Power Station are known as A1 installations. A1 installations are regulated by the Environment Agency for releases of prescribed substances to land, air and water; in contrast to Part B installations which are regulated by Local Authorities for emissions to air alone.
The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 has introduced new category 'A2' installations (which sit between A1 and B) that will be considered for emissions to the same media as part A processes but be regulated by the Local Authority.
Permit Applications
Application forms are available from the Environmental Health Section of the Community Services Department at The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ or online version below
Central Government's Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued a general guidance manual on policy and procedure for permitting A2 and B installations and also has issued Process Guidance Notes and supplementary Air Quality Notes covering all processes that require a Permit.
Advice and Information for Industry
There are a number of sources of advice for businesses regulated either by their local authority or the Environment Agency.
The Government's Envirowise programme offers advice and information to industry on environmental liability, waste minimisation and energy efficiency. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) may be able to obtain free consultancy services in these areas. For further information, click on the link below to view online http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/
The Carbon Trust works with UK businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial, lowcarbon technologies. It provides a wide range of tailored support to businesses of all sizes, including an interestfree loan scheme for small-to-medium-sized enterprises to fund approved energy efficient investments, free energy site surveys for businesses with energy bills of over £50,000 a year and a free telephone helpline (0800 085 2005). It also administers the Government's Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for energysaving investments and provides a variety of support to business seeking to develop and commercialise new lowcarbon technologies. More information is available at the Trust's website www.carbontrust.co.uk/default.ct
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) works in partnership to enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle things more often. Wrap offers support services and publications. Contact 01295 819900 or visit the WRAP web site at: www.wrap.org.uk
National Industrial Symbiosis Programme - NISP is an innovative business opportunity programme that brings together companies from all business sectors with the aim of improving cross industry resource efficiency through the commercial trading of materials, energy and water and sharing assets, logistics and expertise. Contact 0121 433 2650 or visit www.nisp.org.uk
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) can provide advice to businesses on resource efficiency. RDA contact details can be found at http://www.englandsrdas.com/ They can also be reached via Business Links http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/.
NetRegs, on the Environment Agency website, is targeted at giving guidance to small businesses on compliance with the full range of environmental legislation.
http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/?version=1&lang=_e
Other sources of business advice and support can be found on Defra's Brew pages (Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Programme) http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/brew/index.htm and on the Business Links website http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/
Environmental Legal Compliance Audits are offered by Coventry City Council's Environmental Advice Services. For further information, click on the link below to view online http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/environmental-advice-for-businesses/