By law, the Council must regulate certain types of industrial processes and other activities such as petrol stations and dry cleaners. This is to reduce any pollution they may cause and help improve air quality.
To operate premises like these in Trafford, you must have a permit issued by the Council.
Processes requiring a permit
You can find a complete list of installations that need a permit on GOV.UK. Premises regulated by the Council may be 'Part A2' or 'Part B'.
Other installations are regulated by the Environment Agency. They are usually larger or more complex.
Applying for a permit
The operator of one of these installations must apply for a permit and pay the relevant application fee.
Applicants must also advertise their application in the local press:
Applications can also be made to vary, transfer or surrender a permit.
Accompanying documents
Applications must be submitted on the relevant application form and accompanied by:
- The appropriate fee (more information on GOV.UK)
- Details of the operator
- Site maps
- Written description of the installation
- Categorisation of emissions to the atmosphere
- Description of proposed measures for monitoring identified emissions
- Detailed procedures and policies of your proposed environmental management techniques
- Information in the application you wish to justify being kept from the public register on the grounds of commercial or industrial confidentiality
What happens next
The Council will consider each application, consulting relevant members of the public and other organisations. Applicants will be made aware when an application has been correctly submitted and is being processed.
It is illegal to operate a new installation (or an existing installation with a substantial change) without a permit being issued.
When a permit is issued, it must include conditions. These conditions will say how pollution is to be minimised.
Outcomes for A2 applications
The Council must decide on correctly submitted A2 applications within four months.
If successful, applicants are notified and a copy of the permit is placed on the public register, including the decision document.
If the permit is refused, the Council has to provide justifiable reasons.
Outcomes for Part B applications
It can take up to four months for the Council to decide on Part B applications. However, we will decide on applications for dry cleaners and small waste oil burners within three months.
If successful, applicants are notified and a copy of the permit is placed on the public register, including the decision document.
If the permit is refused, the Council has to provide justifiable reasons.
After a permit is issued
Once a permit is issued, the operator must comply with the conditions and pay an annual charge. This covers costs of checking that the permit is complied with. You can find out more about this charge on GOV.UK.
The Council will rate installations as high, medium or low risk. The annual charge is lower for low and medium risk installations. The risk rating of the installation will also determine the number of yearly inspections.
Appealing a decision
If the Council decides to refuse a permit, a business can appeal to the Government.
A business can also appeal if it has received a permit but disagrees with any of its conditions.