Environmental Protection

Functions and Responsibilities of the Environmental Protection Team

Infectious Disease Control 

Certain types of disease are capable of causing widespread infection throughout the community if adequate safeguards are not taken to contain them. EPT along with the Food and Safety Team investigate all cases of statutorily noticeable diseases which occur within the District. Our role is to trace the source of infection and also, identify those who are at most risk of transmitting the disease to the rest of the community such as food handlers and young children.  

 

Investigation and abatement of Statutory Nuisances

Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 identifies certain matters as Statutory Nuisances. These include noise, accumulations or deposits, dust, smoke, and odour. The team investigates complaints involving allegations of nuisance and takes appropriate action to abate substantiated claims of nuisance.  For further information, go to our Statutory Nuisances page.

 

Air Pollution Monitoring and Control 

The section has air pollution monitoring sites situated around the District. Pollutants monitored include: benzene, sulphur dioxide, smoke, nitrogen dioxide and lead (external link). Since Chernobyl, background radiation levels are also monitored to enable an appropriate response to be made to any future radiation incident.

The section, along with the Environment Agency, authorise and regulate the emissions of air pollutants from certain industrial premises (excel spreadsheet) within the District under the Local Authority Air Pollution Control System (external link).  

For premises that have the potential to cause air polution (for example those undertaking activities such as vehicle re-spraying, furniture manufacture, unloading of petrol etc.) the following Local Authority - Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control application form (53k)  must be downloaded and completed. Before completing the application form please call the Environmental Protection Team on 01244 402 310.

Licensing of Premises

Premises are regularly inspected to determine suitability and compliance with relevant standards. These include; 

• Riding Establishments
• Caravan and Camping Sites
• Sites occupied by Dangerous Wild Animals
• Animal Boarding Establishments
• Animal Breeding Establishments
• Pet Shops   

Pollution control - Clean Air Act Approval

The Clean Air Act, 1993, introduced a wide range of new regulations such as those which control smoke emissions and the height of chimneys and those relating to the content and composition of motor fuels.

The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height of a chimney.

Under section 14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to approval adhered to, it is an offence to cause to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuel
• burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter or
• burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter

An application for chimney height approval (125kb) must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.

The local authority must consider an application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between us and the applicant that a longer period is allowed. If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification is given.

Pollution control - construction & demolition information

The council monitors construction activities to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances.  Information is sent out to contractors advising them of the standards we expect.

• Suggested demolition schedule 88kb 
   

Monitoring of Drinking Water Supplies

The local authority is under a duty to keep itself informed of the private water supplies within its area. These are the smaller water supplies that usually originate from wells, springs or boreholes. The Technical Assistant regularly samples these water supplies in order to ensure the water is suitable and sufficient for drinking, cooking and washing purposes.   

Environmental Planning

The section acts in a consultative capacity to the planning department advising on the suitability of proposed development which may have an impact on the environment or existing premises. 

General Public Health Functions

Problems of refuse, vermin and unsatisfactory drainage systems are investigated and where a threat to public health exists, appropriate action is taken.   

Fumewatch

If you see a vehicle belching out fumes please ring the Vehicle Inspectorate on 0870 6060440, quoting :-  

1) The type of vehicle.
2) The registration number.
3) Time and date.
4) Where the vehicle was seen.
5) The owner or company name if possible.

Arrangement of Funerals of those with no kin or close friends

In exceptional circumstances, the Environmental Protection Team will arrange the funeral of a person who has died leaving nobody willing to register the death or make the funeral arrangements.

For friends and family who are in receipt of benefit, financial assistance may be available from the Benefits Agency Chantry House City Road Chester . Please ask for Leaflet D49 . More information is from the Job Centre Plus Website  (external link)