The Environment Agency has confirmed it is extending its consultation into permitting charges after the waste sector criticised it as “inconvenient”.
Yesterday, the Agency told letsrecycle.com, it will be extending the Strategic Review of Charges consultation by two weeks to Friday 26th January.
The Environment Agency’s head office in Bristol
The news follows a call for additional time to be provided for the consultation by the Renewable Energy Association (REA) in a letter to the Agency’s Neil Davies, director of regulatory charges.
Consultation
Last week, the Agency launched the consultation into changes to the way it issues permits, with a plan to levy charges on sites which require more regulatory effort (see letsrecycle.com story).
The consultation – which was originally planned to run until 12 January – covers a range of regulations including the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, and the Waste and Electrical Equipment Regulations 2013.
REA
However, in the wake of the publication, the REA said “insufficient time” has been provided for it to adequately consult with its members and collate their responses.
Evidencing the Association’s call for an extension, Jeremy Jacobs, technical director of the REA explained: “This is a far reaching and complex consultation, touching on all facets of the resource management industry. It impacts directly on a wide number of our members who correctly want to be able to engage with the consultation process.”
“It is only right that industry are given sufficient time to assess and understand the impact these proposed charges will have on the sector once they are implemented, otherwise the aims of this consultation process could be undermined.”
He said due to the consultation being delayed in its release, the consultation period falls over the Christmas holiday period. Mr Jacobs said this resulted in “short and inconvenient timing provided for a response”.
ESA
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) confirmed it also asked the Environment Agency for a consultation extension.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, Sam Corp, head of regulation at the ESA, said: “ESA is concerned that a 6 week consultation falling over the Christmas holidays is insufficient given the significance of the consultation.”
“It is only right that industry are given sufficient time to assess and understand the impact these proposed charges will have on the sector once they are implemented, otherwise the aims of this consultation process could be undermined.”
Jeremy Jacobs
REA
As part of the changes being consulted on – which would come into force on 1 April 2018 – the Agency is proposing to introduce supplementary charges when issuing a permit requires additional assessments.
Under the proposals, the Agency would levy additional supplementary charges for those applications that involve more “complex considerations”. These include: “Sensitive locations assessment for sites designated under the Habitats Directive, or Fire Prevention Plans where the waste types and activities covered by the application would lead us to believe there is a risk of waste fires”.
This would mean a charge of £1,231 for each new, varied or revised waste recovery plan (WRP) if an application is for the permanent disposal of waste on land as a recovery activity.
And, a fixed charge of £1,246 for either an Odour Management Plan (OMP) or a Noise Management Plan (NMP) a fixed charge of £1,246. An additional Fire Prevention Plan would also be charged at £1,241.
Engagement
The Environment Agency has been engaging with a range of stakeholders and trade associations since summer 2016 to gain their views on principles and details of the proposals.
The Agency has also indicated that it is to continue this engagement throughout the consultation period and welcomes requests from customers to meet face to face to discuss their views in more detail.
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Source: letsrecycle.com General
