The Local Air Pollution Control Team (LAPC) based at South Pudsey Community Centre, Kent Road, Pudsey LS28 9BN ensures that companies operating certain industrial activities (Part B installations) use the best available techniques (BAT) to minimise and render harmless their emissions to air. Certain larger (Part A2 installations) must use BAT to protect the air, land and water; use energy efficiently; minimise the production of waste; put in place measures to prevent accidents; and restore the site when the industrial activities cease.
The team maintains and enforces provisions of Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, in relation to 199 industrial installations throughout the City in order to improve the environment and people's health. In addition the team enforces the Solvent Emission Regulations 2004 which places greater requirements on industry in relation to the use of volatile organic compounds and limits or prevents the use of certain VOC’s which are carcinogenic, mutagenic or harm the unborn child.
There are three categories of installations:-
- Part A1 to be enforced by the Environment Agency
- Part A2 to be enforced by the local authority
- Part B to be enforced by the local authority.
Installations falling within categories A1 and A2 are subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC -i.e. control of pollution to land, air and water together with energy conservation, minimisation of waste, land contamination and noise). Installations falling within category B will remain subject to air pollution control only. The Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) issues guidance to local authorities for implementing these Regulations.
Within Leeds we now have 244 installations comprising 30 waste oil burners, 77 petrol stations with vapour recovery, 34 dry cleaners, 15 Vehicle resprayers; 81 Part B activities and 7 A2 activities.
The Local Enforcing Authorities Pollution Fees and Charges Scheme is available and updated annually.
If you have any queries regarding permitted activities, please contact the Local Air Pollution Control Team on 0113 214 6252 or e-mail epteam@leeds.gov.uk