Consultation on modernising environmental permitting for industry

With regards to planning and permitting, existing planning guidance clearly sets out the distinct roles of the two systems. Planning is responsible for assessing whether a development is an appropriate use of land, whereas permitting is responsible for controlling pollution and wider environmental impacts from the operation of permitted sites (including industrial installations).  

The key issues highlighted by stakeholders to date on the interaction between the planning and permitting systems are firstly duplicative or conflicting data requirements through the planning and permitting system which add complexity to applications. And secondly, the fact that operators generally apply for permits after planning, has led to some instances where permit conditions have required reconsideration or changes to the planning permission. 

On the former, where planning and permitting decisions rely on and consider similar or the same information, these data processes should avoid duplication as far as possible. We will work with regulators to assess whether any changes could be required here. 

On the latter, parallel tracking of planning permission and other consents such as permits is encouraged where possible to avoid issues of this kind. The EA has an existing enhanced pre-application advice service which can provide advice on a range of matters, including the option of parallel tracking with planning permission.