Hazardous substances consent

Sites which want to hold certain quantities of hazardous substances must obtain consent from the Hazardous Substances Authority (HSA), in accordance with the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992, and the Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Scotland) Act 1997, both as amended.

The HSA, which is usually the local planning authority, must consult HSE on these applications. HSE will consider the hazards and risks which the hazardous substance may present to people in the surrounding area, and take account of existing and potential developments, in advising the HSA on whether or not consent should be granted.

Hazardous substances consent is an important mechanism in the overall control of major hazards as it enables the HSA to consider whether the presence of a significant quantity of a hazardous substance is acceptable in a particular location.

In assessing the application for consent, HSE will produce a map with three risk contours (or zones), representing defined levels of risk or harm which any individual would be subject to. Should the HSA grant consent, this map defines the consultation distance within which HSE must be consulted over any relevant future planning applications.

If HSE advises against the granting of hazardous substances consent, it will, on request, explain the reasons for this advice to the HSA.

PADHI+ cannot be used for consulting HSE on applications for Hazardous Substances Consent. These must be referred to,

Maria McGibbon
Health and Safety Executive
HID CI Division
2.2 Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 7HS
Email: HazSubConsent.CI5@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0151 951 4666
Fax: 0151 951 3629

• The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1992
• The Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009
• The Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards)(Scotland) Regulations 2009
• Hazardous Substances Consent: a guide for industry