The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016

PART 2 E+W Environmental permits

CHAPTER 1 E+W Application to the Crown and requirement for an environmental permit

Application to the Crown E+W

11.  Schedule 4 (application of these Regulations to the Crown) has effect.

Requirement for an environmental permit E+W

12.—(1) A person must not, except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit—

(a) operate a regulated facility, or

(b) cause or knowingly permit a water discharge activity or groundwater activity.

[F1 (1A) Paragraph (1)(a) does not apply in relation to the operation of a medium combustion plant, mobile medium combustion plant or a specified generator comprising—

(a) a new medium combustion plant, before 20th December 2018;

(b) an existing medium combustion plant with a rated thermal input greater than 5 megawatts, before 1st January 2024;

(c) an existing medium combustion plant with a rated thermal input of less than or equal to 5 megawatts, before 1st January 2029;

(d) a specified generator, before the permitting date,

unless that medium combustion plant, mobile medium combustion plant or specified generator, is required to have a permit by virtue of forming part of another class of regulated facility.

(1B) For the purposes of paragraph (1A)—

(a) “existing medium combustion plant” and “new medium combustion plant” have the meanings given in paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 25A;

(b) “permitting date” has the meaning given in paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 25B.]

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply if the water discharge activity or groundwater activity is an exempt facility.

(3) In respect of a radioactive substances activity, paragraph (1) does not apply to a person to whom a radioactive substances exemption applies for that activity.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies to a person (“A”) who—

(a) receives radioactive waste from another person (“B”) for the purposes of A disposing of that waste, and

(b) subsequently disposes of that waste.

(5) Where this paragraph applies, A does not require an environmental permit—

(a) for the receipt of waste from B, where B holds an environmental permit which allows B to dispose of the waste to A, or

(b) for the subsequent disposal of that waste by A, where the waste is disposed of in accordance with the permit held by B.

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 12(1A)(1B) inserted (30.1.2018) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/110), regs. 1, 7

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Reg. 12 excluded (22.12.2017) by The M20 Junction 10a Development Consent Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1202), arts. 1, 3(1)(a) (with arts. 4, 37)

C2 Reg. 12 excluded in part (31.5.2018) by The Silvertown Tunnel Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/574), arts. 1(2), 3(1)(o)

C3 Reg. 12 restricted (13.3.2019) by The Port of Tilbury (Expansion) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/359), arts. 1, 3(1)(f) (with arts. 55, 56)

C4 Reg. 12 excluded (1.5.2020) by The Riverside Energy Park Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/419), arts. 1, 6(2) (with art. 7)

C5 Reg. 12 excluded (21.5.2020) by The Lake Lothing (Lowestoft) Third Crossing Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/474), arts. 1, 3(d) (with arts. 51, 57)

C6 Reg. 12 excluded (15.10.2020) by The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1075), arts. 1, 3(1)(e)

C7 Reg. 12 excluded (29.10.2020) by The Southampton to London Pipeline Development Consent Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1099), arts. 1, 36(1)(b) (with art. 32, Sch. 9 para. 36)

C8 Reg. 12(1) excluded (11.2.2021) by High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Act 2021 (c. 2), s. 64(1), Sch. 21 para. 4(1)

C9 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (23.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 70(1), Sch. 21 para. 4

C10 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (18.4.2018) by The Network Rail (Hope Valley Capacity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/446), arts. 1, 5(1)(a) (with arts. 24(8), 33(2))

C11 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (24.8.2018) by The Network Rail (Werrington Grade Separation) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/923), arts. 1, 5(1)(a) (with art. 31(2))

C12 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (25.2.2020) by The Network Rail (East West Rail) (Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/114), arts. 1, 5(1)(a) (with art. 37(2))

C13 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (4.3.2020) by The Midland Metro (Birmingham Eastside Extension) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/141), arts. 1, 6 (with arts. 47, 48, Sch. 10 para. 19)

C14 Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (31.12.2020) by The Network Rail (Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1485), arts. 1, 4(1)(a)

Reg. 12(1)(a) excluded (19.1.2021) by The Network Rail (Suffolk Level Crossing Reduction) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1663), arts. 1, 4(a)

CHAPTER 2 E+W Grant of an environmental permit

Grant of an environmental permit E+W

13.—(1) On the application of an operator, the regulator may grant the operator a permit (an “environmental permit”) authorising—

(a) the operation of a regulated facility, and

(b) that operator as the person authorised to operate that regulated facility.

(2) Regulation 17 applies in relation to the grant of a single permit authorising the operation of more than one regulated facility by the same operator.

(3) Part 1 of Schedule 5 applies in relation to an application for the grant of an environmental permit.

Content and form of an environmental permit E+W

14.—(1) An environmental permit must specify—

(a) the regulated facility whose operation it authorises, and

(b) the operator of that regulated facility.

(2) An environmental permit that authorises the operation of a regulated facility (“regulated facility A”) need not specify any regulated facility of another class that is carried on as part of the operation of regulated facility A.

(3) An environmental permit may be in electronic form.

(4) An environmental permit must include a map, plan or other description of the site showing the geographical extent of the site of the regulated facility.

(5) But if there is more than one regulated facility on the site, the map, plan or other description need show only the combined extent of all the facilities.

(6) Paragraphs (4) and (5) do not apply to an environmental permit authorising—

(a) the operation of mobile plant, or

[F2 (aa) the keeping of radioactive material or the accumulation or removal of radioactive waste under paragraph 11(2) of Part 2 of Schedule 23, where—

(i) the activity is described in standard rules published under regulation 26(5); and

(ii) the permit authorises the carrying on of that activity at more than one site; or]

(b) the carrying on of a radioactive substances activity described in paragraph 11(5) of Part 2 of Schedule 23.

Textual Amendments

F2 Reg. 14(6)(aa) inserted (2.5.2018) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/428), regs. 1, 4

Conditions in relation to certain land E+W

15.—(1) Conditions in an environmental permit may require the operator to carry out works or do other things in relation to land which the operator is not entitled to do or carry out without obtaining the consent of another person.

(2) If an environmental permit contains such a condition, the person whose consent is required must grant the operator such rights as are necessary to enable the operator to comply with the condition.

(3) Part 2 of Schedule 5 (compensation) applies where such rights are granted.

(4) Conditions in an environmental permit authorising the carrying on of a flood risk activity have effect as a local land charge where those conditions—

(a) in accordance with the power in paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 25, relate to—

(i) the operation or maintenance of any structure or works, or

(ii) access to any structure, works or watercourse by the regulator, and

(b) are expressed to apply from time to time.

(5) Where the Agency proposes to grant an application in relation to a flood risk activity in England subject to a condition which has effect in accordance with paragraph (4), the regulator must give notice of the proposed condition and the period within which representations on the proposed condition are to be made (which period must not expire less than 20 days after the day on which the notice is served) to—

(a) the landowner, lessee and occupier, where none is the applicant;

(b) the landowner and lessee, where the occupier is the applicant;

(c) the landowner and occupier, where the lessee is the applicant;

(d) the lessee and occupier, where the landowner is the applicant.

(6) Where the NRBW proposes to grant an application in relation to a flood risk activity in Wales subject to a condition which has effect in accordance with paragraph (4), the regulator must not issue the relevant permit unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the regulator that consent for that permit to be issued subject to such a condition has been given by—

(a) the landowner, lessee and occupier, where none is the applicant;

(b) the landowner and lessee, where the occupier is the applicant;

(c) the landowner and occupier, where the lessee is the applicant;

(d) the lessee and occupier, where the landowner is the applicant.

(7) In paragraphs (5) and (6), “landowner” means the person, other than a mortgagee not in possession, who—

(a) is receiving the rack rent of the land, whether on the person's own account or as agent or trustee for another person, or

(b) would receive the rack rent if the land were let at a rack rent.

Mobile plant operating on the site of another regulated facility: conflict of permit conditions E+W

16.  If—

(a) an environmental permit (“permit A”) authorises the operation of mobile plant on the site of another regulated facility the operation of which is authorised under a separate environmental permit (“permit B”), and

(b) there is an inconsistency between the requirements imposed by permit A and those imposed by permit B,

the requirements imposed by permit B prevail.

Single site permits etc. E+W

17.—(1) Except as otherwise provided by this regulation, a regulator may not authorise the operation of more than one regulated facility under a single environmental permit.

(2) The regulator may authorise, under a single environmental permit, the operation by the same operator—

(a) of more than one mobile plant,

(b) of more than one radioactive substances activity described in paragraph 11(5) of Part 2 of Schedule 23,

(c) of more than one regulated facility on the same site,

(d) of more than one standard facility on more than one site,

(e) of more than one flood risk activity on more than one site, or

(f) of more than one radioactive substances activity described in paragraph 11(6) of Part 2 of Schedule 23 on more than one site, where all such activities are in respect of the use or potential use of the same premises for underground disposal (within the meaning of paragraph 11(7) of that Schedule).

[F3 (g) of more than one medium combustion plant on more than one site,

(h) of more than one specified generator on more than one site,

(i) of more than one Part B installation that contains at least one medium combustion plant on more than one site]

(3) But if a groundwater activity is carried on as part of a radioactive substances activity by the same operator on the same site, the regulator must authorise the carrying on of the groundwater activity under the same environmental permit that authorises the carrying on of the radioactive substances activity.

Textual Amendments

F3 Reg. 17(2)(g)-(i) inserted (30.1.2018) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/110), regs. 1, 8

Consolidation of an environmental permit E+W

18.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies if the same operator is authorised by more than one environmental permit to operate—

(a) more than one mobile plant,

(b) more than one flood risk activity on the same site or on more than one site,

(c) more than one standard facility, or

(d) more than one regulated facility on the same site.

(2) The regulator may replace the environmental permits (“old permits”) with a consolidated environmental permit—

(a) applying to the same regulated facilities, and

(b) subject to the same conditions that applied to the old permits, but varied as the regulator thinks fit.

(3) The regulator may replace a consolidated environmental permit (“old permit”) with two or more environmental permits ( “ new permits ”).

(4) Each of the new permits is subject to whichever conditions of the old permit are relevant, varied as the regulator thinks fit.

(5) The regulator may replace a single environmental permit (“old permit”) which has been varied with a consolidated environmental permit subject to the same conditions that applied to the old permit.

(6) A variation made by a regulator under this regulation—

(a) is taken to be a regulator-initiated variation under regulation 20(1), and

(b) may only be made in accordance with regulation 20.

(7) Paragraphs 17 to 19 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 apply in relation to the decision to make a regulator-initiated variation and the notification of such a decision.

Subsistence of an environmental permit E+W

19.  Once granted, an environmental permit continues in force until—

(a) it is revoked in whole in accordance with regulation 22,

(b) it is surrendered in whole in accordance with—

(i) regulation 24, or

(ii) regulation 25 and Part 1 of Schedule 5,

(c) it is replaced with a consolidated permit in accordance with any of the following—

(i) regulation 18(2);

(ii) regulation 22(5);

(iii) paragraph 19(2) of Part 1 of Schedule 5, or

(d) it ceases to have effect in accordance with regulation 71(3) or (4).

CHAPTER 3 E+W Variation, transfer, revocation and surrender of an environmental permit

Variation of an environmental permit E+W

20.—(1) The regulator may vary an environmental permit on the application of the operator or on its own initiative.

(2) A variation under this regulation must not reduce the extent of the site of a regulated facility.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the variation relates to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the operation of a regulated facility of the following description—

(a) a Part B installation, except to the extent that it relates to a waste operation;

(b) a stand-alone water discharge activity or stand-alone groundwater activity.

(4) With respect to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the carrying on of a stand-alone water discharge activity, a regulator must not, without the agreement of the operator, on its own initiative—

(a) within 4 years after the grant of the permit, vary any condition of the permit that relates to the water discharge activity, or

(b) within 4 years after the variation of a condition of the permit that relates to the water discharge activity, further vary that condition.

(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply if—

(a) the regulated facility is a standard facility,

(b) the regulator, on its own initiative, varies an environmental permit, or any condition of a permit, in order to comply with—

(i) an obligation [F4 under retained EU law], or

(ii) a direction given by the appropriate authority under regulation 62, or

(c) the regulator, on its own initiative, varies an environmental permit, or any condition of a permit, in consequence of a transfer or partial transfer of an environmental permit under regulation 21.

(6) Part 1 of Schedule 5 applies in relation to an application for the variation of an environmental permit or a proposal to vary an environmental permit on the initiative of the regulator under paragraph (1).

(7) With respect to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the carrying on of a stand-alone flood risk activity, the regulator must not, without the agreement of the operator, of its own initiative vary any condition of the permit that relates to the flood risk activity unless—

(a) in the opinion of the regulator, the circumstances in which the activity is or is to be carried on have changed such that any of the objectives in paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 25 would no longer be met, and

(b) in the case of a variation that relates to an activity that involves any construction or works, the variation relates to aspects of the construction or works which have not yet been completed.

(8) Paragraph (7) does not apply if the regulator, of its own initiative, varies an environmental permit, or any condition of a permit, in order to comply with—

(a) an obligation [F5 under retained EU law], or

(b) a direction given by the appropriate authority under regulation 62.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in reg. 20(5)(b)(i) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/39), regs. 1, 2(5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F5 Words in reg. 20(8)(a) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/39), regs. 1, 2(5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Transfer of an environmental permit E+W

21.—(1) The regulator may transfer to a proposed transferee an environmental permit or any part of an environmental permit—

(a) if the operator is one individual (A) and the regulator is satisfied that A cannot be found, on the application of the proposed transferee only,

(b) if the operator is two or more individuals (A and B) and the regulator is satisfied that A cannot be found, on the joint application of B and the proposed transferee, or

(c) otherwise, on the joint application of the operator and the proposed transferee.

(2) Part 1 of Schedule 5 applies in relation to an application for the transfer of an environmental permit in whole or in part.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to an environmental permit (or any part of a permit) that authorises the carrying on of a stand-alone water discharge activity, stand-alone groundwater activity or a stand-alone flood risk activity.

(4) The regulator may transfer to a proposed transferee an environmental permit to which paragraph (1) does not apply, or any part of that permit—

(a) if the operator is one individual (A) and the regulator is satisfied that A cannot be found, on the notification of the proposed transferee only,

(b) unless sub-paragraph (c) applies, if the operator is two or more individuals (A and B) and the regulator is satisfied that A cannot be found, on the joint notification of B and the proposed transferee,

(c) if the operator is two or more individuals (A and B) and the proposed transferee is two or more individuals (B and C), where B is both an operator and a proposed transferee—

(i) on the joint notification of A and C, or

(ii) if the regulator is satisfied that A cannot be found, on the notification of C only, or

(d) otherwise, on the joint notification of the operator and the proposed transferee.

(5) A notification must—

(a) be made on the form provided by the regulator,

(b) include such information as is specified on the form, and

(c) specify a date on which the transfer is to take place, which must be not less than 20 working days after the date on which the notification is given.

(6) A transfer following a notification takes effect on the date specified in the notification.

(7) In the case of a partial transfer following a notification, the regulator must grant a new environmental permit to the transferee subject to the same conditions as the original permit, varied in consequence of the partial transfer.

(8) If—

(a) an enforcement notice or a suspension notice is in force in respect of an environmental permit, and

(b) the permit is transferred to another person, either in whole or in part,

the duty to comply with the enforcement notice or, as the case may be, the suspension notice is also transferred to the other person to the extent that it relates to the permit or part transferred.

(9) Unless a proposed transferee makes a joint application or gives a joint notification, the regulator may not transfer to the proposed transferee an environmental permit or any part of an environmental permit in respect of a regulated facility that ceased to be in operation more than 6 months before the proposed date of transfer.

Revocation of an environmental permit: general E+W

22.—(1) The regulator may revoke an environmental permit in whole or in part.

(2) If the regulator revokes an environmental permit in part, it may vary the permit conditions to the extent that it considers necessary to take account of the revocation.

(3) Where the regulator decides to revoke an environmental permit it must serve a notice on the operator specifying—

(a) the reasons for the revocation,

(b) in the case of a partial revocation—

(i) the extent to which the environmental permit is being revoked, and

(ii) any variation to the conditions of the environmental permit, and

(c) the date on which the revocation will take place, which must not be less than 20 working days after the date on which the notice is served.

(4) Unless the regulator withdraws a revocation notice, an environmental permit ceases to have effect on the date specified in the notice—

(a) in the case of a revocation in whole, entirely,

(b) in the case of a partial revocation, to the extent of the part revoked.

(5) In the case of a partial revocation, the regulator may replace the environmental permit with a consolidated environmental permit reflecting the variation.

(6) Any variation made by a regulator under this regulation—

(a) is taken to be a regulator-initiated variation under regulation 20(1), and

(b) may only be made in accordance with regulation 20.

(7) Paragraphs 17 to 19 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 apply in relation to the decision to make a regulator-initiated variation and the notification of such a decision.

(8) Where an environmental permit authorises in whole or in part an operation which becomes an exempt operation, that part of the permit which authorises the exempt operation is revoked on the date that the operation is registered as an exempt operation.

(9) In paragraph (8), “operation” means a waste operation, stand-alone water discharge activity or stand-alone groundwater activity.

Revocation of an environmental permit: steps to be taken after the revocation takes effect E+W

23.—(1) This regulation applies where the regulator has decided to revoke an environmental permit, or part of a permit, and the regulator considers that, after the revocation takes effect, it is appropriate for the operator to take steps—

(a) to avoid a pollution risk resulting from the operation of the regulated facility, or

(b) to return the site of the regulated facility to a satisfactory state, having regard to the state of the site before the facility was put into operation.

(2) But this regulation does not apply if the revocation relates to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the operation of a regulated facility of the following description—

(a) a Part B installation, except to the extent that it relates to a waste operation;

(b) mobile plant;

(c) a stand-alone water discharge activity or stand-alone groundwater activity.

(3) If the operator is already required to take the steps mentioned in paragraph (1) under the environmental permit, the revocation notice must specify the regulator's view under paragraph (1) and state that paragraph (4) applies.

(4) The environmental permit continues to have effect to the extent that it requires the steps to be taken until the regulator issues a certificate stating that it is satisfied that all the steps have been taken.

(5) If the operator is not already required to take the steps mentioned in paragraph (1) under the environmental permit, the revocation notice must specify the regulator's view under paragraph (1) and the steps to be taken.

(6) If paragraph (5) applies, unless the regulator issues a certificate stating that it is satisfied that all the steps have been taken, the steps must be treated as if they were conditions of an environmental permit for the purposes of—

(a) regulation 20,

(b) regulation 36, and

(c) the offence in regulation 38(2).

Notification of the surrender of an environmental permit E+W

24.—(1) This regulation applies to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the operation of a regulated facility of the following description or class—

(a) a Part B installation, except to the extent that it relates to a waste operation;

(b) mobile plant;

(c) a solvent emission activity;

(d) a stand-alone water discharge activity or stand-alone groundwater activity;

(e) a stand-alone flood risk activity, except where the environmental permit has been granted subject to a condition that is to operate beyond the time when the activity is complete.

[F6 (f) a medium combustion plant;

(g) a specified generator]

(2) By notification to the regulator, the operator may surrender that part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) to which this regulation applies.

(3) A notification must—

(a) be made on the form provided by the regulator,

(b) include such information as is specified in the form, and

(c) specify the date on which the surrender is to take place, which—

(i) in all cases, must not be less than 20 working days after the date on which the notification is given, and

(ii) in the case of a stand-alone flood risk activity where the regulator has specified in the environmental permit a date by which the activity must be completed, must not be earlier than the day after that date.

(4) Subject to paragraph (7), the environmental permit ceases to have effect on the date specified in the notification to the extent specified there.

(5) Paragraphs (6) and (7) apply to a partial surrender if the regulator considers it necessary to vary the environmental permit conditions to take account of that surrender.

(6) The regulator must serve a notice on the operator specifying—

(a) the regulator's view under paragraph (5),

(b) the variation, and

(c) the date the variation takes effect.

(7) If the date specified in the notice under paragraph (6)(c) is later than the date specified in the notification under paragraph (3)(c), the variation and partial surrender both take effect on the later date.

Textual Amendments

F6 Reg. 24(1)(f)(g) inserted (30.1.2018) by The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/110), regs. 1, 9

Application for the surrender of an environmental permit E+W

25.—(1) This regulation applies to an environmental permit, or any part of a permit, to which regulation 24 does not apply.

(2) By application to the regulator, an operator may surrender an environmental permit, or that part of a permit, to which this regulation applies.

(3) Part 1 of Schedule 5 applies in relation to an application for the surrender of an environmental permit in whole or in part.

CHAPTER 4 E+W Standard rules

Preparation and revision of standard rules E+W

26.—(1) A rule-making authority may prepare standard rules for such regulated facilities as are described in those rules.

(2) In preparing or revising standard rules the authority must consult—

(a) such persons as it considers are representative of the interests of communities likely to be affected by, or persons operating, the regulated facilities described in the rules, and

(b) such other persons as it considers are likely to be affected by or have an interest in the rules.

(3) But the duty in paragraph (2) does not apply in relation to revisions which comprise only minor administrative changes.

(4) The authority must keep under review all standard rules published by it under this regulation and revise those rules when it considers necessary.

(5) The authority must publish on its website all standard rules prepared or revised by it under this regulation.

(6) The duty in paragraph (2) may be satisfied by a consultation carried out partially or wholly before the coming into force of these Regulations.

Standard rules as conditions of an environmental permit E+W

27.—(1) This regulation applies where a rule-making authority has published standard rules under regulation 26(5).

(2) At the request of the operator of a standard facility the regulator may include in the environmental permit authorising the operation of the facility a term providing that the relevant rules are conditions of the permit.

(3) If the regulator includes such a term, the relevant rules are conditions of the permit for the purposes of these Regulations, but there is no right of appeal under regulation 31 in relation to such a condition or the relevant rules.

(4) In this regulation, “relevant rules” means the standard rules which apply to the standard facility.

Notification of revisions of standard rules E+W

28.—(1) This regulation applies where the rule-making authority proposes to revise standard rules under regulation 26(4).

(2) Before the rule-making authority complies with regulation 26(5), the regulator must notify any operator who holds a relevant environmental permit—

(a) of the proposed revisions,

(b) of the date when the revised rules will be published and when they take effect (in accordance with paragraph (3)), and

(c) that on the date the revised rules take effect they will become conditions of the environmental permit.

(3) The revised rules take effect—

(a) in relation to a relevant environmental permit, 3 months after the date when the revised rules are published under regulation 26(5), except where the revisions comprise only minor administrative changes (in which case they take effect in accordance with sub-paragraph (b));

(b) in any other case, when published under regulation 26(5).

(4) In this regulation, “relevant environmental permit” means an environmental permit which will be affected by the proposed revisions.

Revocation of standard rules E+W

29.  The rule-making authority may revoke standard rules, but before doing so must consult the persons referred to in regulation 26(2).

Variation of an environmental permit: revocation of standard rules E+W

30.—(1) This regulation applies to an environmental permit which includes a standard rules term if the standard rules applying by virtue of that term are revoked by the regulator.

(2) The revoked rules continue to have effect until the regulator varies the permit under paragraph (3).

(3) As soon as reasonably practicable after the revocation of the rules, the regulator must vary the permit so as to—

(a) remove the standard rules term, and

(b) include such alternative conditions as it considers appropriate.

(4) In this regulation, “standard rules term” means a term of the type mentioned in regulation 27(2).

CHAPTER 5 E+W Appeals in relation to environmental permits

Appeals to an appropriate authority E+W

31.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the following persons may appeal to the appropriate authority—

(a) a person whose application is refused;

(b) a person who is aggrieved by a decision to impose an environmental permit condition following that person's application;

(c) a person who is aggrieved by a decision to impose a condition on an environmental permit held by that person—

(i) as a result of a regulator-initiated variation, or

(ii) to take account of the partial transfer, partial revocation or partial surrender of that environmental permit;

(d) a person who is aggrieved by the deemed withdrawal under paragraph 4(2) of Part 1 of Schedule 5 of that person's duly-made application;

(e) a person who is aggrieved by a decision relating to an environmental permit held by that person not to authorise the closure procedure mentioned in—

(i) Article 13 of the Landfill Directive after a request referred to in Article 13(a)(ii) of that Directive, or

(ii) Article 12 of the Mining Waste Directive after a request referred to in Article 12(2)(b) of that Directive;

(f) a person on whom an enforcement notice, a revocation notice, suspension notice, prohibition notice, landfill closure notice, mining waste facility closure notice, flood risk activity emergency works notice, flood risk activity notice of intent or flood risk activity remediation notice is served.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where—

(a) the relevant decision or notice implements a direction of the appropriate authority given under—

(i) regulation 62(1),

(ii) regulation 63(1) or (6), or

(iii) paragraph (6) of this regulation, or

(b) an application for the grant or variation of an environmental permit in relation to a Category A mining waste facility that is an existing mining waste facility is refused pursuant to paragraph 14(2) of Schedule 20.

(3) Paragraph (1)(f) does not apply to the extent that a revocation notice or suspension notice is served because of a failure to pay a charge prescribed in a scheme made under regulation 66(1) in respect of the subsistence of an environmental permit.

(4) On the determination of an appeal in respect of a notice, the appropriate authority—

(a) may quash or affirm the notice, and

(b) if it affirms the notice, may affirm it with or without modifications.

(5) When determining an appeal in respect of a decision, the appropriate authority has the same powers as the regulator had when making the decision.

(6) On the determination of an appeal in respect of a decision, unless the appropriate authority affirms the decision the authority must direct the regulator to give effect to its determination when sending a copy of it to the regulator under paragraph 6(2)(a) of Schedule 6.

(7) Except as otherwise provided by this regulation—

(a) an appeal does not have the effect of suspending a decision or notice; but

(b) if an appeal is brought against a revocation notice, the notice does not take effect until the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

(8) Subject to paragraph (11), paragraph (7)(b) does not apply if the revocation notice—

(a) relates to any part of an environmental permit (or if applicable, the whole permit) that authorises the carrying on of a stand-alone water discharge activity, and

(b) states that, in the opinion of the regulator, the revocation is necessary for the purpose of preventing or, where that is not practicable, minimising, pollution.

(9) If an appeal is brought under paragraph (1)(c)(i) in respect of a decision to impose a condition on an environmental permit in relation to a stand-alone water discharge activity, the imposition of the environmental permit condition does not take effect, subject to paragraphs (10) and (11), until the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

(10) Paragraph (9) does not apply if the notice effecting the decision includes a statement that, in the opinion of the regulator, the imposition of the condition is necessary for the purpose of preventing or, where that is not practicable, minimising, pollution.

(11) If the appropriate authority, on the application of the appellant, determines that the regulator acted unreasonably in excluding the application of paragraph (7)(b) or (9), then—

(a) if the appeal is still pending at the end of the day on which the determination is made, paragraph (7)(b) or (9) applies to the decision or notice from the end of that day,

(b) the appellant is entitled to recover compensation from the regulator in respect of any loss suffered in consequence of that exclusion, and

(c) any dispute as to a person's entitlement to such compensation or as to the amount of it is to be determined by a single arbitrator appointed—

(i) by agreement between the parties to the dispute, or

(ii) in the absence of agreement, by the appropriate authority.

(12) Schedule 6 (appeals to the appropriate authority) has effect in relation to the making and determination of appeals under this regulation.

(13) In this regulation—

“application” has the meaning given in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 5;

“person” includes a person to whom an environmental permit is transferred after—

(a)

an application or a decision mentioned in paragraph (1) is made, or

(b)

a notice mentioned in that paragraph is served.