Environmental permits

Some industrial activities can cause pollution. To help protect the environment, these activities must follow strict rules under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.

Types of permits

There are three types of installations:

  • Part A1 – regulated by the Environment Agency
  • Part A2 – regulated by local authorities
  • Part B – regulated by local authorities

Our Environmental Protection Team manages all Part A2 and Part B permits in the borough.

  • Part A2 installations require all environmental emissions and impacts to be considered, i.e. air pollution, water pollution, noise, land contamination, energy consumption, waste minimisation and environmental accident prevention.
  • Part B installations are required to control air pollution and include businesses such as:
    • vehicle re-sprayers
    • cement batching plants
    • petrol stations

Do you need a permit?

If your business operates a regulated activity, you must apply for a permit, with a fee, to us before starting. Operating without a permit is illegal.

We will:

  • review your application
  • consult with relevant organisations
  • decide whether to issue a permit

You must follow the conditions in your permit. We carry out regular inspections to check compliance.

Public register

We keep a public register of all Part A2 and Part B permits in Hartlepool.
For Part A1 permits visit the Environment Agency’s public register.

Apply for a permit

You can download and complete the relevant application form:

Please email your completed form to: environmental.protection@hartlepool.gov.uk

Fees and charges

Fees are set by the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs.

View our current fees and charges

Who can apply?

Only the person who controls the activity (the “operator”) can hold a permit. Agents can apply on their behalf.

We always recommend that you contact us at environmental.protection@hartlepool.gov.uk in the first instance to discuss your application.

What happens after you apply?

  • we may ask for more information.
  • if you don’t respond, your application will be withdrawn.
  • most applications go through a public consultation
  • we aim to make a decision within:
    • 4 months for most permits
    • 3 months for dry cleaners

You must not start operating until your permit is granted.

Note: Being granted a permit does not mean that the site to which the permit relates has planning permission for that land use. A permit does not replace planning permission. You must apply for planning permission separately.

Consultations

We consult the public on most new applications (except dry cleaners, petrol stations, and mobile plants).

  • new applications: 30 working days
  • draft decisions (A2 only): 20 working days

To comment, email environmental.protection@hartlepool.gov.uk with the permit number and site address. Please also specify that you are responding to a public consultation process.

There are currently no active consultations.

If your application is refused

We will return your application and fee, and explain why.
You can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within 6 months of the decision.

Complaints

If you’re unhappy with our service or the progress of your application, please contact us. We’ll do our best to help.

After a permit is issued

Your permit will be added to the public register.
We will inspect your site regularly, with those activities with a higher pollution potential being inspected more frequently. 

If an operator breaches the conditions set out in a permit we can take enforcement action, which may lead to prosecution.

Changes to your permit

Varying a permit

If you plan to change your activity, tell us at least 14 days in advance.
You may need to apply to vary your permit.

Transferring a permit

If the operator or business details change, notify us in writing 14 days before the change.

To transfer a permit to someone else, both parties must complete and sign the form:

Surrendering a permit

If you stop operating, you must notify us by completing a:

Report an environmental concern or contact us

Please contact us with any complaint about emissions from processes which we regulate and we will investigate.

Contact the Environment Agency about their sites.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Environmental Protection Team
Hartlepool Borough Council
Civic Centre
Victoria Road
Hartlepool
TS24 8AY
Tel: 01429 284024
Email: environmental.protection@hartlepool.gov.uk