Well, we were all set for a big shake up in October when some activities previously exempt permitting were rolled into the permitting regime and therefore became subject to fees and tighter regulation.  But then the brakes went on and the changes have been put back.

DEFRA, through the Environment Agency put it this way:

“The original proposal was to implement revised regulations by October 2009. However, the high level of stakeholder engagement during and since the consultation has led to an increased number of policy issues requiring resolution.

Defra, Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency have therefore decided to put back the implementation of new regulations until the next available opportunity in April 2010.”

 Too many issues remained unresolved, particularly for the most common scenario which was the Paragraph 13 exemption for the recovery of inert materials for secondary aggregate and soils. Currently, fee free, allowable up to 500 tonnes per day and in most cases operated alongside a non-hazardous transfer / treatment facility. Due to the changes this would be come permittable if over 500 tonnes per year, subject to an annual fee and a requirement for Technically Competent Management. So, how does that fit in with your other permit? Is it a variation? How much is the variation fee? What about the working plan? What about the transition period for T.C.M? There were some answers and theories, but there were also so gaps.

Maybe someone has sat back and asked themselves a couple of very basic questions……………Will the proposed changes encourage recycling, and will the changes assist industry in this economy? Currently, the answer is ‘No’ so with a little more thought it may be workable!

 If you require any futher information please contact:

Ian  Tel. 01299 877539    Fax 01299 823383

E-Mail info@environmentalservices.org.uk