The next phase of environmental permitting programme (EPP2) is expected to come into force in spring 2010.
The first phase (EPP1), which came into force in April 2007, covers industrial activities and waste management and the government is keen to extend this single system of permitting in England & Wales.
The EPP2 will affect all businesses that:
Discharge to rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, etc
Discharge substances to groundwater
Use or dispose of radioactive substances or wastes
The proposals will allow businesses and environmental regulators to move towards a one permit, one regulator, one site regime.All existing discharge consents will automatically become an environmental permit when the new regulations come into force.