Public Notice

Control of Pollution Act 1974
Scheme of Charges for Applications in Respect of Discharges to Controlled Waters
Issued on 15 August 1997

This notice is published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under section 42 of the Environment Act 1995 (the 1995 Act) to bring to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the Control of Pollution Act 1974 Scheme of Charges for Applications in respect of Discharges to Controlled Waters (the Scheme) the proposed provisions of the Scheme.

SEPA intends to use its power under section 41 of the 1995 Act to make the Scheme which is intended to come into effect on 1 April 1998.

The Scheme applies to applications for consent or review and instruments served for discharges to controlled waters under Part II of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (as amended) (the 1974 Act). The Scheme will revoke the existing charging schemes made under section 53 of the 1974 Act.

The proposed provisions of the Scheme are as set out below.

1. Changes in fees

SEPA proposes to increase application charges to £75 for a consent or instrument attracting a reduced application fee and £525 for a standard application fee and to make provision for annual increases in line with the rate of inflation thereafter. It is intended that the fees recovered will meet the costs and expenses incurred by SEPA in carrying out the functions to which the Scheme relates.

2. Revision of bands for standard and reduced application charges

SEPA intends to impose standard and reduced application charges based on the likely impact of the proposed discharge on the receiving watercourse.

3. Request for discretionary review of consent by SEPA

A review made at the request of the person making the discharge which will have an appreciable effect on the receiving waters shall be made by application under section 34 of the 1974 Act and will be subject to the specified charges for applications. All other reviews made at the request of the discharger will attract a charge at the reduced rate.

4. Time for payment

The charges shall be due and payable on the making of an application or on the service of an instrument or notice of modification. It shall be a condition of a consent that the charges prescribed are paid in accordance with the scheme.

A copy of the Scheme, reflecting the proposals described above, is available from Public Affairs, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, Stirling, FK9 4TR, Tel 01786 457700. You may make representations or objections in respect of the proposals described above to the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 42(1)(b) of the 1995 Act. All comments should be made in writing to:

Mr Ian McDougall
The Scottish Office
Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department
Environmental Protection Unit, Area 1J
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.

Comments must be received by Tuesday 30 September 1997.

A C Paton
Chief Executive

This notice was published on 15 August 1997

ENDS

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724
Head of Public Affairs: Monica Straughan. Tel: 01786 457723 Mobile 0421 942498

SEPA Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, STIRLING FK9 4TR
Tel: 01786 457700 Fax: 01786 448040

Contact SEPA Public Affairs at publicrelations@sepa.org.uk

© SEPA 1997