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The Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made).

SCHEDULES

Article 6(8), 10(1) and 11(8).

SCHEDULE 1AUTHORISATIONS FOR PROCESSES: SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

PART IGRANT OF AUTHORISATIONS

Applications for authorisations

1.—(1) An application to the enforcing authority for an authorisation must contain such information, and be made in such manner, as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Department.

(2) An application to the enforcing authority for an authorisation must also, unless regulations made by the Department exempt applications of that class, be advertised in such manner as may be prescribed in regulations so made.

(3) The enforcing authority may, by notice in writing to the applicant, require him to furnish such further information specified in the notice, within the period so specified, as the authority may require for the purpose of determining the application.

(4) If a person fails to furnish any information required under sub-paragraph (3) within the period specified thereunder the enforcing authority may refuse to proceed with the application.

Determination of applications

2.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the enforcing authority shall give notice of any application for an authorisation, enclosing a copy of the application, to the persons who are prescribed or directed to be consulted under this paragraph and shall do so within the specified period for notification.

(2) The Department may, by regulations, exempt any class of application from the requirements of this paragraph or exclude any class of information contained in applications for authorisations from those requirements.

(3) Any representations made by the persons so consulted within the period allowed shall be considered by the enforcing authority in determining the application.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)persons are prescribed to be consulted on any description of application for an authorisation if they are persons specified for the purposes of applications of that description in regulations made by the Department;

(b)and the persons are directed to be consulted on any particular application if the Department specifies them in a direction given to the enforcing authority;

and the “specified period for notification” is the period specified in the regulations or m the direction.

(5) Any representations made by any other persons within the period allowed shall also be considered by the enforcing authority in determining the application.

(6) Subject to sub-paragraph (7), the period allowed for making representations is—

(a)in the case of persons prescribed or directed to be consulted, the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which notice of the application was given under sub-paragraph (1); and

(b)in the case of other persons, the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which the making of the application was advertised in pursuance of paragraph 1(2).

(7) The Department may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (6)(a) or (b), such other period as it thinks fit.

3.—(1) The Department may give directions to the enforcing authority requiring that any particular application or any class of applications for an authorisation shall be transmitted to the Department for determination pending a further direction under sub-paragraph (4).

(2) The enforcing authority shall inform the applicant of the fact that his application is being transmitted to the Department.

(3) Where an application for an authorisation is referred to it under sub-paragraph (1) the Department may—

(a)cause a public local inquiry to be held in relation to the application either by the Planning Appeals Commission or by a person appointed by the Department for the purpose; or

(b)afford the applicant and the enforcing authority concerned an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the Planning Appeals Commission;

and the Department shall exercise one of the powers under this sub-paragraph in any case where, in the manner prescribed by regulations made by the Department, a request is made to be heard with respect to the application by the applicant or the enforcing authority concerned.

(4) The Department shall—

(a)in determining any application referred to it under this paragraph, take into account the report of any public local inquiry or hearing held under sub-paragraph (3); and

(b)on determining any such application, give to the enforcing authority such a direction as the Department thinks fit as to whether the enforcing authority is to grant the application and, if so, as to the conditions that are to be attached to the authorisation.

4.  The Department may give the enforcing authority a direction with respect to any particular application or any class of applications for an authorisation requiring the authority not to determine or not to proceed with the application or applications of that class until the expiry of any such period as may be specified in the direction, or until directed by the Department that the enforcing authority may do so, as the case may be.

5.—(1) Except in a case where an application has been referred to the Department under paragraph 3 and subject to sub-paragraph (3), the enforcing authority shall determine an application for an authorisation within the period of 6 months beginning with the day on which it received the application or within such longer period as may be agreed with the applicant.

(2) If the enforcing authority fails to determine an application for an authorisation within the period allowed by or under this paragraph the application shall, if the applicant notifies the authority in writing that he treats the failure as such, be deemed to have been refused at the end of that period.

(3) The Department may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (1) such other period as it thinks fit.

PART IIVARIATION OF AUTHORISATIONS

Variations by the enforcing authority

6.—(1) The requirements of this paragraph apply where an enforcing authority has decided to vary an authorisation under Article 10 and is of the opinion that any action to be taken by the holder of the authorisation in consequence of the variation will involve a substantial change in the manner in which the process is being carried on.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the enforcing authority shall give notice of the action to be taken by the holder of the authorisation to the persons who are prescribed or directed to be consulted under this paragraph and shall do so within the specified period for notification; and the holder shall advertise the action in the manner prescribed in regulations made by the Department.

(3) The Department may, by regulations, exempt any class of variation I from all or any of the requirements of this paragraph or exclude any class of information relating to action to be taken by holders of authorisations from all or any of those requirements.

(4) Any representations made by the persons so consulted within the period allowed shall be considered by the enforcing authority in taking its decision.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)—

(a)persons are prescribed to be consulted on any description of variation if they are persons specified for the purposes of variations of that description in regulations made by the Department;

(b)persons are directed to be consulted on any particular variation if the Department specifies them in a direction given to the enforcing authority;

and the “specified period for notification” is the period specified in the regulations or in the direction.

(6) Any representations made by any other persons within the period allowed shall also be considered by the enforcing authority in taking its decision.

(7) Subject to sub-paragraph (8), the period allowed for making representations is—

(a)in the case of persons prescribed or directed to be consulted, the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which notice was given under sub-paragraph (2); and

(b)in the case of other persons, the period of 42 days beginning with the date of the advertisement under sub-paragraph (2).

(8) The Department may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (7)(a) or (b), such other period as it thinks fit.

Applications for variation

7.—(1) The requirements of this paragraph apply where an application is made to an enforcing authority under Article 11(4) for the variation of an authorisation.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the enforcing authority shall give notice of any such application for a variation of an authorisation, enclosing a copy of the application, to the persons who are prescribed or directed to be consulted under this paragraph and shall do so within the specified period for notification; and the holder of the authorisation shall advertise the application in the manner prescribed in regulations made by the Department.

(3) The Department may, by regulations, exempt any class of application from all or any of the requirements of this paragraph or exclude any class of information furnished with applications for variations of authorisations from all or any of those requirements.

(4) Any representations made by the persons so consulted within the period allowed shall be considered by the enforcing authority in determining the application.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)—

(a)persons are prescribed to be consulted on any description of application for a variation if they are persons specified for the purposes of applications of that description in regulations made by the Department;

(b)persons are directed to be consulted on any particular application if the Department specifies them in a direction given to the enforcing authority;

and the “specified period for notification” is the period specified in the regulations or in the direction.

(6) Any representations made by any other persons within the period allowed shall also be considered by the enforcing authority in determining the application.

(7) Subject to sub-paragraph (8), the period allowed for making representations is—

(a)in the case of persons prescribed or directed to be consulted, the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which notice of the application was given under sub-paragraph (2); and

(b)in the case of other persons, the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which the making of the application was advertised in pursuance of sub-paragraph (2).

(8) The Department may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (7)(a) or (b), such other period as it thinks fit.

Articles 15(4)

SCHEDULE 2APPEALS AND MATTERS REFERRED TO THE PLANNING APPEALS COMMISSION and 22(7).

PART IAPPEALS AND MATTERS REFERRED UNDER ARTICLE 15

Reference of appeals in accordance with Article 15(3)(b)

1.—(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph (3)(b) of Article 15, the Department refers an appeal under that Article for determination to the Planning Appeals Commission (“the Commission”).

(2) The Commission shall determine the appeal and paragraphs (1), (3) and (5) of Article 111 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 shall apply in relation to the determination of the appeal as they apply in relation to the determination of an appeal under that Order.

(3) If either party to the appeal so requests, the Commission shall afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the Commission.

(4) Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Article 15 shall have effect in relation to the appeal as if for references to the Department there were substituted references to the Commission.

Reference of appeals or matters involved in appeals in accordance with Article 15(3)(c)

2.—(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph (3)(c) of Article 15, the Department refers an appeal or any matter involved in an appeal under that Article to the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall consider the appeal or matter and report to the Department thereon.

(3) For the purpose of considering an appeal or matter under sub-paragraph (2), the Commission shall hold a hearing—

(a)if the Department, in referring the appeal or matter to the Commission, so requests;

(b)if either party to the appeal so requests; or

(c)if the Commission otherwise thinks fit;

and in any other case the Commission shall consider the appeal or matter solely by reference to written representations.

(4) Where the Commission holds such a hearing, it shall afford to each party to the appeal an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the Commission.

(5) Paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) of Article 111 of the [1991 NI 11.] Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 shall apply in relation to the consideration of an appeal or matter under sub-paragraph (2) as they apply in relation to an inquiry or hearing under that Order.

PART IIAPPEALS AND MATTERS REFERRED UNDER ARTICLE 22

Reference of appeals in accordance with Article 22(6)(b)

3.—(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph (6)(b) of Article 22, the Department refers an appeal under that Article for determination to the Planning Appeals Commission.

(2) The Commission shall determine the appeal and paragraphs (1), (3) and (5) of Article 111 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 shall apply in relation to the determination of the appeal as they apply in relation to the determination of an appeal under that Order.

(3) If either party to the appeal so requests, the Commission shall afford to each of them an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the Commission.

(4) Any hearing in connection with the appeal must be held in private.

(5) Paragraph (1) of Article 22 shall have effect in relation to the appeal as if for the reference to the Department there were substituted a reference to the Commission.

Reference of appeals or matters involved in appeals in accordance with Article 22(6)(c)

4.—(1) This paragraph applies where, in accordance with paragraph (6)(c) of Article 22, the Department refers an appeal or any matter involved in an appeal under that Article to the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall consider the appeal or matter and report to the Department thereon.

(3) For the purpose of considering an appeal or matter under sub-paragraph (2), the Commission shall hold a hearing if either party to the appeal so requests; and in any other case the Commission shall consider the appeal or matter solely by reference to written representations.

(4) Any such hearing must be held in private.

(5) Where the Commission holds such a hearing, it shall afford to each party to the appeal an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by the Commission.

(6) Paragraphs (2), (3) and (5) of Article 111 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 shall apply in relation to the consideration of an appeal or matter under sub-paragraph (2) as they apply in relation to an inquiry or hearing under that Order.

Article 17(13).

SCHEDULE 3SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO POWERS OF ENTRY

Interpretation

1.  In this Schedule—

“relevant power” means a power conferred by Article 17, including a power exercisable by virtue of a warrant under this Schedule;

“responsible authority”—

(a)

in relation to an inspector appointed under Article 16(1), means the Department; and

(b)

in relation to an inspector appointed under Article 16(5), means the district council by which he is appointed.

Issue of warrants

2.—(1) If it is shown to the satisfaction of a justice of the peace on sworn information in writing—

(a)that there are reasonable grounds for the exercise in relation to any premises of a relevant power; and

(b)that one or more of the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (2) is fulfilled in relation to those premises,

the justice may by warrant authorise an inspector to exercise the power in relation to those premises, in accordance with the warrant and, if need be, by force.

(2) The conditions mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b) are—

(a)that the exercise of the power in relation to the premises has been refused;

(b)that such a refusal is reasonably apprehended;

(c)that the premises are unoccupied;

(d)that the occupier is temporarily absent from the premises and the case is one of urgency; or

(e)that an application for admission to the premises would defeat the object of the proposed entry.

(3) In a case where paragraph (5) of Article 17 applies, a justice of the peace shall not issue a warrant under this Schedule by virtue only of being satisfied that the exercise of a power in relation to any premises has been refused, or that a refusal is reasonably apprehended, unless he is also satisfied that the notice required by that paragraph has been given and that the period of that notice has expired.

(4) Every warrant under this Schedule shall continue in force until the purposes for which the warrant was issued have been fulfilled.

Information obtained to be admissible in evidence

3.—(1) Subject to Article 17(10), information obtained in consequence of the exercise of a relevant power, with or without the consent of any person, shall be admissible in evidence against that or any other person.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1), information obtained by means of monitoring or other apparatus installed on any premises in the exercise of a relevant power, with or without the consent of any person in occupation of the premises, shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings against that or any other person.

Duty to secure premises

4.  An inspector who, in the exercise of a relevant power, enters on any premises which are unoccupied or whose occupier is temporarily absent shall leave the premises as effectually secured against trespassers as he found them.

Compensation

5.—(1) Where an inspector exercises any power conferred by Article 17(3)(a) or (b) or (4), it shall be the duty of the responsible authority to make full compensation to any person who has sustained loss or damage by reason of—

(a)the exercise by the inspector of that power; or

(b)the performance of, or failure of the inspector to perform, the duty imposed by paragraph 4.

(2) Compensation shall not be payable by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) in respect of any loss or damage if the loss or damage—

(a)is attributable to the default of the person who sustained it; or

(b)is loss or damage in respect of which compensation is payable under any other provision of the pollution control statutory provisions.

(3) Any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation under this paragraph, or as to the amount of any such compensation, shall be referred to and determined by the Lands Tribunal; and Articles 4 and 5 of the [1982 NI 9.] Land Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 shall apply to any such determination.

Article 35(1).

SCHEDULE 4CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

The Public Health (Ireland) Act 1878 (c. 52)

1.  At the end of section 108 add “; but a district council shall not, without the consent of the Department of the Environment, institute proceedings under this Part in respect of a nuisance to which section 107 applies by virtue of paragraph (4) or (7) of that section or Article 23 of the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, if proceedings in respect thereof might be instituted under the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906 or the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997”.

The Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906 (c. 14)

2.  For section 24A substitute—

24A.    Relation to Industrial Pollution Control Order.

(1) The preceding provisions of this Act shall not apply to any process which is a prescribed process as from the date which is the determination date for that process.

(2) The “determination date” for a prescribed process is—

(a)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is granted, the date on which the enforcing authority grants it, whether in pursuance of the application or, on an appeal, of a direction to grant it;

(b)in the case of a process for which an application is refused, the date of the refusal or, on an appeal, of the affirmation of the refusal.

(3) In this section “authorisation”, “enforcing authority” and “prescribed process” have the meaning given in Article 2 of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and the reference to an appeal is a reference to an appeal under Article 15 of that Order..

3.  For sections 10 to 13 (inspection) substitute—

10.    Inspectors.

References in this Act to the chief inspector or an inspector are references, respectively, to the chief inspector or an inspector appointed under Article 16 of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997..

The Land Development Values (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 (c. 23 (N.I.))

4.  In Part II of Schedule 2, after paragraph 542) add—

(3) Use for any of the following processes (except a process ancillary to the getting, dressing or treatment of minerals, carried on in or adjacent to a quarry or mine)—

(a)converting, re-heating, annealing, hardening, melting, carburising, forging or casting of iron or other metals or alloys;

(b)recovering of metal from scrap or drosses or ashes;

(c)galvanising;

(d)pickling or treatment of metal in acid; or

(e)chromium plating..

The Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 (c. 5 (N.I.))

5.  In section 5 (pollution etc. of water), after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) if the discharge or deposit in question is authorised by an authorisation granted under the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997..

6.  In section 9 (supplementary provisions as to consents under section 7 or 8)—

(a)for subsection (9) substitute—

(9) The Department shall maintain a register containing particulars of—

(a)consents and conditions which are for the time being in force under section 7 or 8; and

(b)any matter about which particulars are required to be kept in any register under Article 20 of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (particulars about authorisations for prescribed processes, etc.) by the chief inspector appointed under that Order.

(9A) The register maintained under subsection (9)—

(a)shall be open to inspection by any person at all reasonable hours;

(b)shall, in favour of a person charged with an offence under this Act, be conclusive evidence as to the terms of any consent or condition under section 7 or 8 as it has effect for the time being..

(b)in subsection (10) for the words “subsection (11)” substitute “subsections (11) and (11 A)”; and

(c)after subsection (11) insert—

(11A) A person does not commit an offence by contravening section 7 or 8 by discharging any effluent or matter if the discharge is authorised by an authorisation granted under the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997..

7.  In section 11 (protection for persons complying with conditions) at the end of subsection (1) add—

; or

(f)Article 23 of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

The Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (NI 19)

8.  In Article 2(2), in the appropriate place in alphabetical order insert—

“the Industrial Pollution Control Order” means the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;.

9.  In Article 55(4)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (a) after the words “part of a” insert “process subject to the Industrial Pollution Control Order or”; and

(b)for sub-paragraph (b) substitute—

(b)of the inspectors appointed under the Industrial Pollution Control Order or, as the case may be, under the Alkali Act, to enforce those provisions in relation to such furnaces..

10.—(1) In Article 56(1) after the words “unless the” insert “burning is part of a process subject to the Industrial Pollution Control Order or the”.

(2) For Article 56(2) substitute—

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this Article shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale..

11.  In Article 57(4) after the words “emissions from any” insert “process subject to the Industrial Pollution Control Order or”.

12.  After Article 58(2) insert—

(2A) If the notice relates to a process subject to the Industrial Pollution Control Order, the person on whom the notice is served shall not be obliged to supply any information which, as certified by an inspector appointed under that Order, is not of a kind which is being supplied to the inspector for the purposes of that Order..

The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 4).

13.  Articles 7 to 13 shall cease to have effect.

14.  Immediately before Article 25 insert—

Relation to Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

24A.(1) Articles 3 to 24 shall not apply to any process which is a prescribed process as from the date which is the determination date for that process.

(2) The “determination date” for a prescribed process is—

(a)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is granted, the date on which the enforcing authority grants it, whether in pursuance of the application or, on an appeal, of a direction to grant it;

(b)in the case of a process for which an authorisation is refused, the date of the refusal or, on an appeal, of the affirmation of the refusal.

(3) In this Article “authorisation”, “enforcing authority” and “prescribed process” have the meaning given in Article 2 of the Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and the reference to an appeal is a reference to an appeal under Article 15 of that Order..

Article 35(2).

SCHEDULE 5REPEALS

Chapter or NumberShort titleExtent of Repeal
1906 c. 14.The Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906.The whole Act so far as unrepealed.
1965 c. 23 (N.I.).The Land Development Values (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1965.In Part II of Schedule 2, paragraph 5(1) and (2).
1972 c. 5 (N.I.).The Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.The word “or” at the end of section 11(1)(d).
1976 NI 15.The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.In the Table in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4, the entry relating to the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906.
1978 NI 19.The Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.In Article 2(2), the definition of “the Alkali Act”.
In Article 55(4)(a) the words “or work subject to the Alkali Act”.
In Article 55(4)(b) the words “or, as the case may be, under the Alkali Act”.
In Article 56(1) the words “or the place at which he does so is a work registered in pursuance of section 9 of the Alkali Act”.
In Article 57(4) the words “or work subject to the Alkali Act”.
Article 58(3).
Article 63(1).
In Article 82(1), the words “the Alkali Act or”.
In Schedule 4, paragraphs 3 and 4 and the heading immediately preceding paragraph 3.
In Schedule 6, paragraph 3 and the heading immediately preceding it.
1981 NI 4.The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.In Article 2(7) the words “7 to 12 and”.
Articles 7 to 13.
In Article 15(1) and (2) the words “as mentioned in Article 9(1),”.
In Article 16(a) the words “7, 9, 10”.
Article 25.
In Article 28(1)(a) the word “7”.
Article 39(1)(a).
In Article 43(2) the word “25(9)”.
In Schedule 1, in paragraph 1(a) the words “or 8”.
In Schedule 4, paragraphs 2 and 3.
1984 NI 3.The Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.In Schedule 3, the entry relating to the Alkali, &c. Works Regulation Act 1906.
1985 NI 15.The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.In Schedule 3, paragraphs 29 to 33.
1997 NI 18.The Industrial Pollution Control (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.Article 7(12)(d).
In Article 17(12), in the definition of “pollution control statutory provisions”, sub-paragraph (a)(ii).

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