We have various powers to deal with pollution arising from commercial and industrial sites.  This section provides information about issuing of operating permits under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 and chimney height approvals.  We can also deal with dark smoke from bonfires held on industrial premises.

Issuing of operating permits

The Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 requires operators of specified processes to apply for and comply with permits.

Large processes that have the potential to impact on air, land and water are regulated by the Environment Agency.  These are called Part A1 installations. Examples of these are large food processors and power stations.

Smaller activities that have the potential to impact on air, land and water are regulated by us.  These are called Part A2 installations. Examples of these are large glass factories and sites that use large quantities of solvents.
 
We also regulate other activities that only have the potential to impact on air.  These are called Part B installations. Examples of these are vehicle refinishers and other big users of solvents, concrete batching plants, petrol stations, and certain combustion plant.

Permit requirements

Part A2 and Part B installations must operate in a way that meets the conditions of the permits issued to them by the council's Environmental Protection Unit. The permits contain conditions relating to site management, quantities of air pollutants that may be emitted and other process controls. These conditions are based on national guidance issued for each industry sector by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which are deemed to represent the best available technology for controlling pollution.

Failure to comply with conditions attached to permits can result in formal action and ultimately a fine.

Sites which hold permits are regularly inspected to ensure compliance with the permit conditions.  Site visits are also made in response to complaints and to check on premises which may need a permit but have not applied for one.

The aim of the permit system is to:

• Prevent local pollution problems, such as dust and odour nuisance, and
• Reduce the release of air pollutants that may contribute to local air quality problems and wider issues, such as climate change.

Public register

All the sites in York that hold a permit from either the Environment Agency or City of York Council are listed on a public register. This register contains a copy of the permit and other information such as the original application and the results of any monitoring that has been required in the previous four years.  The public register for an installation can be viewed free of charge and can be arranged by contacting us.

There is a charge made for photocopying any information from the register. A list of premises holding a permit on the 1 April of the current financial year is available to the right of this page, a completely up to date list taking account of any changes made during the financial year can be obtained by contacting us.

Applying for a permit

If you are a process operator wishing to apply for a permit please complete and return the relevant forms (available to the right of the page).  Your application must be accompanied by the correct charge.  

Charges

There is a charge to make an application for a permit and an annual subsistence fee. These fees and charges are set by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and are available on their website or by downloading the Pollution Control Fees document to the right of the screen.