Consultation on revoking and withdrawing eight standard rules permits

Overview

This consultation is now closed. Our response to the comments received can be viewed below.

Our response:

Of the three respondents, one agreed to the withdrawal and/or revocation of all medium combustion plant (MCP) and specified generator standard rules permits, one provided no comments, and one objected based on the possibility that some operators may not be aware of the permitting requirements and that NRW may not have reached all interested parties.

The respondent, agreeing with the proposals, suggested that one of the reasons few sites hold a standard rules permit was because of their strict criteria.

NRW reviewed and amended the medium combustion plant and specified generator standard rules permits in 2019 to expand their scope where appropriate. We amended SR2018 No 1 to 6 and No 8 to accommodate specified generators that may include new medium combustion plant and also SR2018 No 7 for new MCP to expand the number of scenarios within the rules. However, the large number of sensitive sites in Wales limits where these permits can be utilised, and we did not see any increase in their use.

Whilst we appreciate some operators may not be aware of the medium combustion plant and specified generator requirements, we have increased awareness through joint webinars with other UK regulators, provided updates to relevant Trade Associations, updated our website, sent out an online survey to over 300 potential new operators in Wales and issued communications via Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

It must be noted that the operator is responsible for obtaining the correct permit and complying with the permit conditions by the relevant date.

Based on the consultation responses received and their limited use and applicability in Wales to date, NRW has decided to withdraw and/or revoke all medium combustion plant and specified generator standard rules permits. We will continue to review the appropriateness and proportionality of the permitting process including experiences arising from the permitting of existing medium combustion plant, which is currently in progress.

Why your views matter

Standard rules permits were developed under The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. They allow us to offer standard permits which reduce administrative burden on businesses while maintaining environmental standards. They are based on sets of standard rules that we can apply widely.

This consultation is proposing to:

• revoke six standard rules permits
• withdraw and archive two standard rules permits

We use the term 'revoke' when a standard rules permit is removed. It is no longer available to apply for and does not have any holders. 

Some standard rules permits have holders but are not available for new applications.  We call these 'withdrawn and archived'.

Find the standard rules permits in the ‘Related documents download’ section of medium combustion plant and specified generator activities.

Standard rules we're proposing to revoke

We're proposing to revoke the following standard rules permits. They are not used and do not have any holders.

• Standard rules 2018 No 2 SG Tranche B base load operation 0 – 2 MWth with high background NOx 
• Standard rules 2018 No 3 SG Tranche B base load operation 0 – 2 MWth in AQMA  
•  Standard rules 2018 No 4 SG Tranche B 0 – 20 MWth operated less than 500h 
• Standard rules 2018 No 5 SG Tranche B 0 – 20 MWth operated less than 1,500h  
• Standard rules 2018 No 6 SG Tranche B base load operation 0 – 1.3 MWth, high NOx. 
• Standard rules 2018 No 8 Mobile SG Tranche B base load operation 0 – 2 MWth 

Standard rules we're proposing to withdraw and archive

We are proposing to withdraw and archive two standard rules permits from the following sectors as, although there are some holders, they can no longer be applied for:

• Standard rules 2018 No 1 SG Tranche B base load operation between 0 – 5 MWth
• Standard rules 2018 No 7 Stationary MCP 1 and less than 20MWth 

What would happen if my standard rules set was withdrawn as a result of this consultation?

Nothing changes. Your permit would remain in force, and you would still be able to carry on with your activity. You would continue to operate in line with the conditions in your standard rule set permit.

What happens next

This consultation is now closed.