Industrial Air Pollution
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There are many different types of industry within Hambleton district, all of which have the potential to cause air pollution. The industries most likely to cause air pollution because of the raw materials used, the type of process, or the amount of substances released through chimney stacks or exhausts, are regulated by the Environment Agency and the local authority.
These types of industrial processes are specified in legislation and are called "prescribed activities". Prescribed activities were formerly known as "authorised processes" or "prescribed processes" under previous legislation.
Prescribed activities vary widely in type. The more common ones include petrol stations, mobile crushing plant, small waste oil burners, quarries, concrete batching plants, furniture manufacturers, vehicle re-sprayers, animal and pet food manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers. Some of the more unusual activities include crematoria, sewage sludge incineration, production of mushroom substrate and maggot breeding.
To comply with the regulations, operators of prescribed activities are required to apply for a permit. The conditions of the permit will ensure that the operator uses 'Best Available Techniques' to achieve a high level of protection for the environment. Permitted activities are inspected annually, and the more polluting activities are also risk rated as high, medium or low, this rating is used to determine the annual subsistence fee and also the frequency of future inspections. Further information on prescribed activities, environmental permitting, 'Best Available Techniques' and risk assessments, can be found on the Defra Website Opens in a new window (opens in new window)
