These rules allow an operator to use compression and spark ignition engines, with a rated thermal input less than 3 megawatts, to burn biogas produced from the digestion of sewage sludge at a sewage treatment works in a specified location.
Please note: You do not have to demonstrate technical competence by satisfying an industry-led competence scheme for this activity.
Our consultation on the proposed changes to the standard rules and risk assessment for this activity closed on 31 January 2010. You can view the consultation documents here:
Applying for a standard permit
You can apply for a standard permit if you comply with the standard rules and meet the following risk criteria:
- the activities are not carried out within 200 metres of any off-site building used by the public, including dwelling houses
- the activities are not carried out within 500 metres of a European Site, Ramsar Site or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (excluding any SSSI designated solely for geological features). You can find out this information by calling us on 0370 8506506, or by visiting either of the websites below (depending on whether your site is in England or Wales).
- Natural England
- Countryside Council for Wales
- the activities are not carried out within a specified Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). You can find out about these by contacting us on 0370 8506506 or at National Air Quality.
Applying for a bespoke permit
If you cannot comply with any of the standard rules, or meet any one of the criteria listed above, then you must apply for a bespoke permit. Your application must include additional information about the criteria that you cannot meet and how you intend to control the associated risks.
Cost of standard permits
The cost of standard permits can be found within our charging scheme.
Standard rules
You can find the standard rules, generic risk assessment, guidance and application form by using the links below.
Look at the standard rules you want to apply for and check that:
- the permitted activities include all the ones that you want to carry out
- you can comply with all the other rules. We have written guidance to help you understand how to comply with the rules (see below)
Dowload and check the rules:
We carried out a risk assessment to develop the risk criteria for these activities to produce the standard rules. We have provided it for your information, but you do not need to agree with it or send us a signed copy.
Record of changes to standard rules and generic risk assessment
A record of the changes to the standard rules and generic risk assessment, since they were first published, is available from the link below. The record of change was last updated in April 2010. If you operate under this set of standard rules, you must comply with the current version that is linked to this web page:
Guidance on how to comply with your standard permit
Guidance is provided in a document called 'How to Comply with your Environmental Permit'. This is available to download from our Environmental Permitting guidance page:
Application form and explanatory notes
The Environmental Permitting Regulations application form is available from the link below:
