Authorised Processes

The Council must by law regulate certain types of factory and other activities such as dry cleaners. This is to reduce any pollution they may cause and, in particular, to help improve air quality.

There are about 80 different types of installation which would need a permit. Glassworks and foundries, rendering plant and maggot breeders, petrol stations and concrete crushers, sawmills and paint manufacturers, are some of the sorts regulated.

Other installations (known as 'Part A1') are regulated by the Environment Agency. They are usually larger or more complex.

The operator of one of these installations must apply for a permit. He or she must pay a fee for doing so. All processes are inspected regularly by both the Council and the operator to ensure compliance. The better the environmental performance of the business, the lower the fees payable to the Council. Frequency of inspection is based on the level of environmental risk and the operator's past performance in managing the process.

What types of processes in Spelthorne?

There are no A1 and nine Part A2 processes within the Borough. These are regulated by the Environment Agency.

There are currently 24 Part B processes regulated by the Council including bulk cement batchers, dry cleaners and petrol stations. Other dry cleaners in the Borough do not dry clean on-site and so do not require a permit.

Bulk Cement Batchers

• Staines Concrete Plant, Queen Mary Reservoir, Ashford Road, Laleham
• Hithermoor HBM Plant, Hithermoor Quarry, Stanwell
• Ferns Thames Water Stanwell Moor, Hithermoor Quarry, Stanwell

The Council maintains a register of all authorised processes in Spelthorne. The public register may be viewed Monday to Friday during normal office hours. There is no charge for accessing the public register, however, the photocopying of information will incur a charge.

A summary document of the public register is available for download. If you require more details on the public register please contact Pollution Control.

How do I apply for a permit?

Standard A2 application, surrender, transfer and variation forms are available on request from the pollution team.

The following standard Part B forms are available to download, including process specific application forms for 

, 

, 

 and waste oil burners:

For general guidance on the Local Authority Pollution Control (LAPC) regime together with guidance on each type of process that requires a permit, please visit the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs website(opens new window).

Applications

Any applications for new authorised processes or substantial variations which have been duly made will be advertised here. There are currently no applications or substantial variations.

What are the fees?

Anyone applying for a permit or operating under a permit in Spelthorne must pay the Council the relevant fees and charges. The fees and charges are set nationally by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)(opens new window). The income from these application fees and subsistence charges are intended to recover local authorities' costs in undertaking regulation of the permitted businesses. To this end every Council is required to report back to Defra each year on officer time spent.