Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 permits are required to undertake a wide range of specified activities lawfully. These activities include anything from scrap metal yards, processing plants and asbestos contractors to nuclear power stations and sewage treatment plants. Depending on the activity, applicants must apply either to the Environment Agency or the relevant local authority.
You must ensure that you have appropriate authorisation for the activities your business carries out. It is advisable to do this at the early stages of setting up a business or planning stages to ensure there will be no opposition to the licence or restrictions imposed that may affect your ability to trade.