Public Participation Directive (PPD) : Public Participation in Part A Activities

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PPD : Public Participation in Part A Activities

How you can get involved in the PPC permitting process

Operators who wish to operate an installation prescribed within Schedule 1 of the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000 must apply to SEPA for a permit.

The PPC regime is designed to encourage public involvement in the regulatory process for Part A activities. The Regulations make specific provision for the public to input to the permitting process, and these pages describe the way in which you can become involved in SEPA’s PPC permitting activities.

Types of Application and level of public involvement
Ongoing Consultations
To find out more information on a particular application.

Types of Application and level of public involvement

Within the PPC regime the type of application determines the level of public involvement. The table below details the different types of application and the ways in which you can input to the decision making process.

Type of application	Stages at which input can be made
New Installation Application These are applications for proposals to begin operation of a site covered by the PPC regime.	Upon receipt of an application SEPA will inform the applicant of the need to advertise the application in a local newspaper to the installation and in the Edinburgh Gazette. Members of the public are then invited to examine the application held in the local Public Register and make comments within 28 days of the date of advertisement. Upon determination of the application SEPA will consult on the draft permit, including the draft decision document. SEPA will provide this material on its website and invite comments on these documents over a 28 day period. To view ongoing Public Participation Directive consultations click here
Existing Installation Application These are applications from operators who have been in operation for a number of years and are transferring into the PPC regime during the relevant application window.	Upon receipt of an application SEPA will inform the applicant of the need to advertise the application in a local newspaper to the installation and in the Edinburgh Gazette. Members of the public are then invited to examine the application held in the local Public Register and make comments within 28 days of the date of advertisement. SEPA will not consult on the draft permit and decision document. The permit will be published on the local public register following determination in line with the provisions of Schedule 8 of the Regulations.
Substantially Changed Installations These are applications from operators of existing PPC permitted installations who propose to make a “substantial change” to their activity.	Upon receipt of an application SEPA will inform the applicant of the need to advertise the application in a local newspaper to the installation and in the Edinburgh Gazette. Members of the public are then invited to examine the application held in the local Public Register and make comments within 28 days of the date of advertisement. Upon determination of the application SEPA will consult on the draft revised conditions / permit, including the draft decision document. SEPA will provide this material on its website and invite comments on these documents over a 28 day period. To view ongoing Public Participation Directive consultations click here
Changes to Emission Limits SEPA is required to review permits from time to time. Where SEPA reviews a permit and decides that the pollution caused by the installation is of such significance that the existing emission limit values of the permit need to be revised or new such values need to be included in the permit then such changes require public consultation.	Upon determining the changes to the permit required to enforce new emission limit values SEPA will consult on the draft revised conditions / permit, including a draft decision document. SEPA will provide this material on its website and invite comment on these documents over a 28 day period. SEPA will not consult on changes to emission limits required to be made on an emergency basis, or where emission limits are lowered as a result in advances in management within the installation concerned. To view ongoing Public Participation Directive consultations click here

To find out more information on a particular application please click here.