Intensive farming risk assessment for your environmental permit
Summary
The Environment Agency has updated guidance for intensive farming permit applicants on environmental risk assessment, including ammonia screening and air emissions checks. Key changes include replacing the previous ammonia screening tool with SCAIL Agriculture, updating screening distances and thresholds near protected sites, and clarifying when biomass boiler emissions assessments are required.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may encounter agricultural or rural assets where permitting, environmental constraints, or nearby protected sites affect development, valuation, or due diligence. The updated screening rules could influence planning risk, environmental compliance, and the feasibility of changes to intensive farming operations.
Key points
- SCAIL Agriculture is now the default ammonia screening tool.
- A 1% ammonia screening threshold applies within 5 km of SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites.
- Applicants must obtain an ammonia screening assessment for new permits or relevant permit variations.
- Updated guidance clarifies air emissions assessment requirements for biomass boilers.
- The guide applies under the Environmental Permitting Regulations for intensive farming.
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