Province Utrecht: Environment and planning permit for environmentally harmful activities

You apply for an environmental permit from the provincial authorities if:

• you want to start a complex business
• you want to change the work processes within your complex company, which will therefore change your impact on the environment

Consult with the stakeholders first. They are, for example, people living in the area or companies that are located nearby. Also consult with the provincial authorities and the municipality. This increases the chances of the provincial authorities granting you the permit.

This is how you apply for an environmental permit:

• Go to the online Omgevingsloket (in Dutch). This is the service counter for environmental and planning permits.
• Do the permit check.
• You will be told whether you need to apply for a permit. You can do this right away.
• Log in.

What you need for the application depends on the type of company and its scope. You need to submit, among other things:

• an odour report
• an energy report
• an air quality survey
• a map and/or
• a business plan in which you explain the business activities

Are there consequences for nature conversation areas, plants or animal species? In that case, you may also have to apply for an environmental permit for nature.

You may need to consult with the authorities in the province in which your company is located. You can apply for an environmental permit from the relevant provincial authorities via the online Omgevingsloket.

Permit applications from complex companies need to complete the extensive procedure. This means stakeholders will be given the opportunity to respond to your plans. In addition, the provincial authorities sometimes also have to further investigate the consequences for the environment. It takes an average of six months before a final decision is taken on your permit application.

The procedure for applying for an environmental permit is as follows:

• The provincial authorities publish the application and the draft permit.
• Stakeholders will have 6 weeks to review these. During this period, they can respond in writing or verbally to the provincial authorities.
• After that, the provincial authorities publish the application and the final permit. If necessary, the provincial authorities will conduct further research into the consequences for the environment.
• If so, stakeholders will have another 6 weeks to review this.
• Do you disagree with the permit? In that case, you can appeal through the courts. This is only possible if you responded to the application and the draft permit.
• After that, you have the option of appealing to the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State.

You did not receive a response within the 6-week appeal period? In that case, the permit is final.