Permitting service levels in Natural Resources Wales
How we manage permitting applications and how long it takes us to process
This change means that customers will have a single, clear response on permit applications and no longer have to apply to a number of different organisations to undertake certain activities.
Monitoring performance
We will be monitoring regulatory performance very closely and will provide a high quality service that meets the requirements of both the environment and businesses in Wales. Table 1 details many of the regulatory regimes that we are responsible for and the timescales we will work to.
Timescales
If you need an application determined in less than the timescales in Table 1, then please discuss this with us at the time of submission.
We recommend that you apply for permits in good time (ideally having sought pre-application advice from us), with all the necessary information and have regard for the determination timescales. Applications that are complex, have a high level of public interest, or potentially impact on a sensitive location may require a longer period to determine than that set out in Table 1.
Managing your application
When you submit a permit application to us, you will be contacted by one of our officers who will be responsible for the determination of your application. That officer will explain to you how the application will be processed, how they can be contacted and what the deadlines are for determination. They will also discuss with you your expectations.
You will be kept up to date throughout the determination process so you are aware how your application is progressing.
Table 1. Statutory determination timescales.
|
Permit/Consent/Authorisation |
Statutory Determination Period |
Service level agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
Waste Bespoke Permit |
4 months |
|
|
Waste Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
|
|
Waste Permit Variation |
3 Months or 4 months with consultation |
|
|
Waste Permit Transfer |
2 Months |
|
|
Waste Permit Surrender |
3 months |
|
|
T11 Waste Exemption |
|
25 working days |
|
Cat A Mining Waste Facilities |
|
9 months |
|
Mobile Plant Deployments |
|
25 working Days |
|
Waste recovery plan assessment |
|
25 working days |
|
Installation Bespoke Permit |
4 Months |
|
|
Installation Substantial Variation |
4 Months |
|
|
Installation Standard Rule Permit |
3 Months |
|
|
Installation Permit Variation |
3 Months |
|
|
RSR applications have statutory timelines (most are 3 months) |
|
|
|
Installation Permit Surrender |
3 months |
|
|
Installation Permit Transfer |
2 months |
|
|
Water Quality Bespoke Permit |
4 months |
|
|
Water Quality Standard Rule Permit |
3 months |
|
|
Water Quality Permit Variations |
4 months with advertisement 3 months without |
|
|
Water Quality Permit Transfers |
|
20 working days |
|
Water Quality Permit Surrenders |
|
20 working days |
|
Water Quality Herbicides Complex |
|
13 weeks |
|
Water Quality Herbicides Simple |
|
10 working days |
|
Water Industry Applications s165/166 |
5 working days normal, 10 working days if it requires a habitat assessment, 3 months if not a one off discharge |
|
|
Water Resources HEP |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
|
|
Water Resources Abstraction |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
|
|
Water Resources Impoundment |
4 months if advertised, 3 months if not advertised |
|
|
Water Resources Temporary Licence |
20 working days |
|
|
Water Resources Transitional Licence (new authorisations) |
During the period 01 January 2020 and 31 December 2022 |
|
|
Water Resources Revocation of Abstraction Licence |
|
20 working days |
|
Water Resources Revocation of Impoundment Licence |
|
3 months |
|
Water Resources Minor Variation (non-complex) |
|
20 working days |
|
Water Resources Minor Variation (complex) |
|
3 months |
|
Water Resources Two-Part Tariff |
|
20 working days |
|
Water Resources Pre-Application (hydropower) |
|
45 working days |
|
Water Resources Pre-Application (non-Hydropower) |
|
45 working days |
|
Water Resources Groundwater Investigation Consent |
|
45 working days |
|
Flood Defence Consent |
2 months |
|
|
Net licence |
|
Upon receipt of payment we will issue your licence, carcass tags and log books to you by recorded delivery. You should receive this before the start of the season or within five working days if the season has already started |
|
Fish Movements |
|
We require 20 working days to process your application. However, we will aim to do it within working 10 days. |
|
Protected Species Licence |
|
30 working days |
|
Protected Species License amendment (simple) |
15 days |
|
|
Protected Species License amendment (complex) |
30 days | |
|
European Protected Species (Marine) |
|
30 working days |
|
SSSI Consent for owners/occupiers where not statutory undertakers |
4 months |
|
|
SSSI Assent for statutory undertakers |
|
28 working days |
|
Open Access restrictions and Exclusions |
|
Up to 16 weeks depending on exclusion/restriction timescale request |
|
Felling licences Forest Management Plans (External) |
13 weeks |
|
|
EIA (Forestry) determinations |
28 working days |
|
|
Marine Licensing Screening Opinion |
90 days |
|
|
Marine Licensing Scoping Opinion |
|
90 days |
|
Marine Licensing Screening and Scoping |
|
90 days |
|
Marine Licence - Band 1 Application |
|
6 weeks, however if it has been determined that no sensitive area method statement is required then it will normally be determined within 4 weeks. |
|
Marine Licence - Band 2 Application |
|
4 months |
|
Marine Licence - Band 3 Application |
|
due to the varied and complex nature of band 3 projects there is no agreed service level for determination. |
|
Discharge of Conditions of a Band 2 Marine Licence |
|
6 weeks |
|
Discharge of Conditions of a Band 3 Marine Licence |
|
due to the varied and complex nature of band 3 projects there is no agreed service level for determination. |
|
Discharge of Monitoring condition of a Marine Licence |
|
8 weeks |
|
Variation 1 Administrative changes to Marine Licence |
|
21 days |
|
Variation 2 Complex changes to Marine Licence |
|
4 month for Band 2 None for Band 3 |
|
Variation 3 Routine changes to Marine Licence |
|
8 weeks |
|
Transferring of Marine Licence |
|
21 days |
|
Statutory Plant Health Notices |
|
30 working days from date of confirmed infection to issue of notice or letter |
|
EUETS - NER (Significant Capacity Extension) |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Variation Minor |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Variation Substantial |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Transfer |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Amalgamation Transfer |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Surrender |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Revocation |
|
14 days |
|
EUETS Notification |
|
14 days |