Other permissions or consents will be required, depending on the scale, location and nature of the proposed development. The key permissions are likely to relate to Environmental Permits, Building Regulations and the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.
'Design, construction, operation and maintenance should not be considered in isolation from one another. Design ideas will provide better value when they are developed alongside knowledge of construction options and an understanding of how to obtain value from the whole supply chain, including manufacturers. Constructors are best placed to contribute their own expertise when they are involved in the development of the early design concepts… The principle is simple: the client and the supply team working together can reduce waste, improve quality, innovate and deliver a project more effectively than if the parties are in a fragmented relationship that may be adversarial.' Design Quality: Achieving Excellence |
Environmental Permits are administered by the Environment Agency and replace pollution, prevention and control (PPC) permits and waste management licences. A facility cannot commence operations until the permit is in place. It can be beneficial to prepare the permit application in parallel with the planning application (an approach recommended in Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control (2004)) as there will be several common themes and the outputs from both processes can inform the final design. For example, the permitting process may involve consideration of best available techniques (BAT), which may influence the proposed building envelope, drainage proposals etc.
The Building Regulations apply to most new buildings and alterations to existing buildings. The responsibility for meeting them rests with the person carrying out the building work and/or the owner of the building. They will typically apply during construction, but it is important to consider any potential implications earlier in the design process. It would be prudent to make an application and obtain approval prior to construction starting. It may also be advisable to employ a specialist advisor on the Building Regulations during the design process. Approved inspectors can also pass plans, inspect works on site and issue approval notices upon completion.
The development will also be subject to the CDM Regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These regulations are applicable throughout the design and construction phases of a project, so need to be considered early in the design process. They place health and safety responsibilities and duties on almost everyone involved in construction. A CDM coordinator must be appointed to advise the client on projects that last more than 30 days or involve 500 person days of construction work. Their role is to advise the client on health and safety issues during the design and planning phases of construction work.
Other permissions and consents may also be important to the delivery of a new waste management facility. Depending on the proposed site and development they may include land drainage consents (sometimes referred to as flood drainage consents), discharge consents and those associated with the temporary or permanent diversion of public rights of way.