October 2012 [PDF, 556 Kb] - South Norfolk Council

Extension to the maximum period for operating below threshold.
Has your business reduced in size or is it using fewer raw materials With the exception of reduced fee
processes, all businesses which have a permit to operate based on a threshold level of consumption,
can apply for their permit to be declared “operating below threshold” where the business is operating at
reduced levels.
This means that where a business has fallen below the permit threshold, for example the volume of
solvent used has dropped, but it feels hopeful that business will grow again, to avoid surrender of the
permit only to reapply a few months later, you can apply to have your permit declared operating below
threshold. Subsistence fees are reduced by 60% for these permits. From April 2012 this 3 year period
has been extended to indefinitely. If you feel your business could qualify for this reduction in fees please
contact your local authority for an application form. Your permit will be varied to require you to keep
your local authority updated on your consumption levels and to inform them if you plan on restarting any
redundant equipment.
The above also applies to activities which have been ‘mothballed’. This means they are no longer
operating but the operator wishes to keep the permit rather than surrender and close the installation
permanently.
Waste Operations
Part B – Permitted Activities
Usually you need a permit to undertake waste recovery, treatment, or disposal activities, however
there are situations where this doesn’t apply. These are known as waste exemptions, which are
specific low risk waste operations.
Waste exemptions are normally registered by the Environment Agency. However if the activity is
directly associated to your permitted process, it is not exempt. Your permit will need to be varied to
include conditions regarding your waste operations, this is free of charge.
Waste activities include; use, treatment, disposal and storage. The following are some which are likely
to be directly associated with a permitted process:
U5
U8
T3
T5
T6
T7
T9
Use of waste-derived biodiesel as a fuel
Use of Waste
Use of waste for a specific purpose (especially use of waste paint as paint)
Treatment of Waste
Treatment of waste metals and metal alloys by heating for the purposes of removing grease, etc.
Screening and blending waste (e.g. waste gravel, crushed rocks, shellfish shells, waste bark and wood,
concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics).
Treatment of waste wood and waste plant matter by chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising.
Treatment of waste bricks, tiles and concrete by crushing, grinding or reducing in size.
Recovery of scrap metal
Storage of Waste
Some storage activities don’t require exemptions or variations to permits, e.g. the temporary storage waste at
the place of production, pending its collection.
S1
S2
Storage of waste in secure containers (specific waste at a different place to where the waste was
produced, before the waste is transported to another site for recovery e.g. waste oil, paper, cardboard, etc.)
Storage of waste in a secure place e.g. Storing construction and demolition waste, capable of being
reused without treatment, at an intermediate site before it is moved to another place for reuse.
A full list of exempt activities can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/exemptions.
If any of the listed exempt waste activities are directly linked to your permitted process, please contact
your Local Authority for further information and guidance. Any T3 or T7 activities should be registered
with your Local Authority even if they are not directly associated.
Any other activities which aren’t directly associated to your permitted process, should be registered
with the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk for further
information.