Biomass boilers

Biomass boilers are regulated in a variety of ways (depending on the size of the boiler) and we need additional information to make the appropriate assessment.

We have powers under The Clean Air Act to request the measurement of dust emissions from the biomass boiler exhaust stack and require arrestment plant to be installed to control dust emissions.

The Clean Air Act is primarily aimed at controlling smoke, grit and dust.  This legislation does not serve to mitigate fine particulate matter emissions.

What to submit with your planning application

If you need to get planning permission, you need to submit the following details along with your planning application:

• technical details of the biomass boiler, including stack height
• emission concentrations
• fuel specification
• fuel storage and
• delivery arrangements

Download and fill in the form below and submit it with your planning application:

Biomass boiler information form (doc)

Relevant pollution control legislation

The operation of a biomass boiler may require regulation under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations and the Waste Incineration Directive depending on the size of the boiler and type of biomass fuel, see the table below. For example waste wood that has been treated with preservatives or coatings may potentially have high levels of heavy metals, halogenated compounds, generate dioxins and furans respectively. The combustion of this type of wood is regulated under the Waste Incineration Directive.

Biomass boilers using waste wood from timber merchants or forest residues require regulation as Part B Installations under the LAPPC regime. Larger boilers are regulated by the Environment Agency as A1 installations. The IPPC regime is a much broader level of pollution control covering air, land, water, noise as well as energy and waste reduction and accident prevention.

A formal application for a permit must be made to us or the Environment Agency, in order to operate these types of biomass boilers.

Summary of relevant pollution control legislation 

MW = megawatt, thermal.
LA-PPC = Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control.
IPPC = Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (Environment Agency).
WID = Waste Incineration Directive (Local Authority and Environment Agency)