Environmental Permitting for Industrial & Commercial Sites

Specialising in securing environmental permits for industrial, commercial, and waste management operations across the UK. From anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to energy-from-waste (EfW) facilities, our tailored consultancy service ensures full compliance with UK Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) and Environment Agency (EA) requirements.

Our expert team combines technical insight, regulatory expertise, and strong project management to deliver a seamless permitting process — helping you stay compliant and operational with minimal delays.

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Why Environmental Permitting Matters

Environmental permits are a legal requirement for many industrial activities that pose potential risks to land, air, and water. Failing to secure the right permit can result in significant delays, enforcement action, or even shutdowns. That’s why working with a knowledgeable partner like BioConsult ensures you’re fully prepared and compliant from the outset.

Our Permitting Process:

1. Regulatory Interpretation & Compliance Expertise

Full understanding of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and related laws.
Sector-specific guidance for waste management, water discharges, air emissions, and more.
Up-to-date knowledge of DEFRA policies and EA guidance.

2. Site Appraisal & Feasibility Review

On-site assessments to evaluate baseline environmental conditions.
Identification of key processes, emissions, and potential environmental risks.
Determination of whether your site qualifies for standard, bespoke, or exempt permits.

3. Permit Scoping & Identification

Advice on all permit types including:
- Environmental Permits (waste, installations, emissions, discharges)
- Discharge Consents
- Part A(1), A(2), and B Permits
Scoping of operational inputs, outputs, storage, emissions, and thresholds.

4. Application Preparation & Submission

Compilation of robust permit applications including:
- Non-technical summaries
- Site Condition Reports (SCR)
- Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA)
- Environmental Management System (EMS) documents
- Fire Prevention Plans (FPP), where required
Preparation of site plans, drainage layouts, and spatial data using industry-standard formats.

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5. Specialist Technical Assessments

Air quality and dispersion modelling
Odour, dust, and noise impact assessments
Groundwater and surface water risk analysis
BAT (Best Available Techniques) justification for regulated activities

6. Liaison with the Environment Agency (EA)

Acting as your authorised agent throughout the application process.
Responding to regulator queries and Schedule 5 notices.
Supporting public consultations and determination meetings when required.

7. Post-Permit Compliance Support

Implementation of EMS and operational procedures.
Development of monitoring and compliance frameworks.
Support with permit variations, renewals, or transfers.

Talk to our specialists:

If you need help with your business reach out today to speak to one of our expert teams.

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Who We Work With

We support a range of clients operating in regulated sectors, including:

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants
Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and transfer stations
Energy from Waste (EfW) and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) operations
Chemical processing and industrial manufacturing
Food & beverage production sites
Large-scale commercial developments with emissions or discharge impacts

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FAQ’s

An environmental permit is a legal requirement for activities that could harm the environment, such as waste processing, emissions, or discharges to water or land. Without one, your operation could face enforcement action or be shut down by the Environment Agency.
We assist with a full range of permits under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2016, including:
- Waste and installation permits
- Water discharge and groundwater permits
- Part A(1), A(2), and Part B permits
- Bespoke or standard rules permits
Yes. We conduct site appraisals to assess your operational activities, emissions, and environmental impact — then advise whether you need a standard, bespoke, or exempt permit.
We act as your agent during the application process, handling all EA communication, responding to Schedule 5 notices, and supporting public consultation or determination meetings when needed.
Typical documents include:
- Non-technical summary
- Site condition report (SCR)
- Environmental risk assessment (ERA)
- Management system documentation
- Fire prevention plan (if required)
- Site layout and drainage plans
We prepare all necessary documentation in the required formats.
Costs vary based on site complexity and permit type. We offer transparent, tailored quotes after an initial consultation to assess your needs.

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