Some industrial activities require an environmental permit before they can operate. These permits are designed to control emissions and activities that could harm the environment.
Check if you need a permit on GOV.UK
What you need to know:
- You must have an environmental permit before starting any regulated activity.
- Applications are made either to your local council or the Environment Agency, depending on the type of activity.
- Your application may be reviewed by other organisations and the public.
- Councils have up to 4 months to decide on an application.
- There is an application fee and an annual charge after your permit is issued (based on inspections and risk assessments).
- Once granted, permit details are added to a public register.
- You can request confidentiality for commercial or national security reasons.
- Failure to comply with permit conditions may result in enforcement action or penalties.
How to apply
Who you apply to depends on your activity type:
- Part A1 activities – Apply to the Environment Agency.
- Part A2 or Part B activities – Apply to Norwich City Council, below.
Application forms for Part A(2) and Part B processes can be requested from the council. Email environmentalprotection@norwich.gov.uk
The completed form must be returned to us, with the appropriate application fee.
The timescale for determining an application can be up to four months.
For any changes to an existing permit please contact environmentalprotection@norwich.gov.uk
Fees and charges
- A one-off application fee must be paid when you apply.
- An annual subsistence charge applies once a permit is issued.
See Defra's fees and charges (PDF)
Public register
All issued environmental permits are published on the council’s public register.
Environmental permits register (PDF, 163.79 KB)
