Pollution, prevention and control

This page provides information on North Devon Council’s proactive work to control atmospheric emissions.

The law places an emphasis on preventing or minimising emissions wherever achievable and ensuring that emissions occur in a controlled manner.

Integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC)

Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives local authorities and the Environment Agency regulatory control of emissions to air from a range of different industrial activities, known as 'prescribed processes'.

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) regime replaces the former Local Authority Pollution Control (LAPC) and Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) regimes, and is currently implemented by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) 2010 Regulations (EPR 2010) .

Under this legislation, there are three broad classifications of process, each classification defining both the regulator and those matters to be regulated:

Operators of prescribed processes are required to hold a permit  in order to legally operate the process. The permit will contain enforceable conditions designed to control emissions to atmosphere and/or to prevent the operation of the process causing a nuisance to occupiers of other premises.

Part A1 and A2 processes will have permits covering the full scope of environmental emissions (including noise and energy efficiency), whereas Part B processes will have permits covering emissions to air only (similar to the former LAPC system).

Details of all part A1, A2 and B processes in North Devon are kept on our public register. To arrange a viewing of this register, please contact us between the hours of 09.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday. However, a summary of all part A1, A2, and B processes in North Devon is available - summary (pdf 16kB) .

The Environment Agency regulates the largest processes (A1), and any enquiries regarding their regulation of A1 processes should therefore be directed to the Environment Agency Devon area office, who are contactable on 08708 506506 or via the Environment Agency website.

In addition to those processes currently regulated by North Devon Council or the Environment Agency, processes that have at some time been permitted but have subsequently had the permit revoked are also held on the public register. For the majority, this is for the simple reason that the process has ceased to operate, or that operating parameters have fallen below that at which a permit is required - but this is not the case for all.

Application timescales and tacit consent

All applications received for a permit to operate shall be processed in accordance with the timescales prescribed by the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 - please refer to Manual A of the General Guidance Manual for more detailed information.

We will acknowledge your application on receipt. In the unlikely event that you have not heard from us at the end of the processing timescales identified above, please contact us. Please note that tacit consent does not apply, and your application is not deemed to be granted.

A list o the relevant documentation can be found below. Hard copies of all completed application forms, including the relevant payment (EPR Fees and Charges (pdf 56kB) ) should be sent to:

Head of Environmental Health and Housing Services
Environmental Health and Housing Services
North Devon Council
Civic Centre
North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon EX31 1EA

Part A2 processes

Online - change/variation application