Environmental compliance

Environmental permits in Wales: applying to NRW

How to apply for environmental permits in Wales through Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Covers the main permit types (environmental, waste, water abstraction, marine, flood risk activity, felling), the NRW application process, fees, and the online portal. NRW is the sole environmental regulator in Wales - the Environment Agency covers England only.

Wales
Guide summary

If your business in Wales could affect the environment, you must apply to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for permits. Check which permit you need, gather your documents, and apply online. Operating without a permit is a criminal offence.

  • Apply to NRW for environmental permits in Wales
  • Do not apply to the Environment Agency (England only)
  • Check if you need a permit on NRW's website
  • Get pre-application advice from NRW if unsure
  • Submit your application through the NRW portal
  • Pay the application fee when you apply
  • Operating without a permit is a criminal offence
  • NRW can inspect your business and issue fines
  • Common permits include waste, water, and marine licences
  • Keep records of your permits and compliance
On this page
Wales

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

If your business operates in Wales and carries out activities that could affect the environment, you must apply to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for the relevant permits and licences. NRW is the environmental regulator for Wales.

Do not apply to the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency covers England only. It has no jurisdiction in Wales. All environmental permitting in Wales goes through NRW, which was formed on 1 April 2013 by merging the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, and Forestry Commission Wales.

Operating a regulated activity without the required NRW permit is a criminal offence. If you are unsure whether your activity needs a permit, contact NRW for pre-application advice before you start.

Which permit do you need?

NRW manages more than 40 regulatory regimes. The most common permits businesses need are:

  • Environmental permits - for waste operations, industrial installations, water discharges, and groundwater activities under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016
  • Waste permits and exemptions - for storing, treating, or disposing of waste, or for registering as a waste carrier, broker, or dealer
  • Water abstraction licences - for taking water from rivers, streams, or underground sources (generally above 20 cubic metres per day)
  • Marine licences - for construction, dredging, deposits, or removals in the marine environment around the Welsh coast
  • Flood risk activity permits - for work in, under, over, or near a main river or flood defence in Wales
  • Felling licences - for felling growing trees above the threshold volumes set by NRW
  • Species licences - for activities that may affect protected species such as great crested newts or bats

Many businesses need more than one permit. For example, a food manufacturer might need an environmental permit for its industrial process, a water abstraction licence, and a water discharge permit.

How to apply

  1. 1

    1. Check whether you need a permit

    Use NRW's online guidance to determine whether your activity is regulated. Some low-risk activities may qualify for a registered exemption rather than a full permit. If unsure, contact NRW's permitting team.

  2. 2

    2. Request pre-application advice

    NRW offers pre-application advice to help you understand what permits you need and what information your application must include. This service may be chargeable, but it can save significant time and avoid rejected applications. Contact NRW's Customer Care Centre.

  3. 3

    3. Gather your supporting information

    Prepare the documents NRW will need, including site plans, environmental risk assessments, management plans, and details of the activities you will carry out. Requirements vary by permit type.

  4. 4

    4. Submit your application through the NRW portal

    Apply online through the NRW permits and permissions portal at naturalresources.wales. Some permit types also accept paper applications. Pay the application fee at the time of submission.

  5. 5

    5. Respond to any requests for further information

    NRW may ask for additional details during the determination period. Respond promptly to avoid delays. For complex applications, NRW may arrange a site visit.

  6. 6

    6. Receive your permit and understand the conditions

    Once granted, read every condition in your permit carefully. Each permit sets out specific requirements for monitoring, recording, reporting, and operating. Non-compliance is a criminal offence.

  7. 7

    7. Pay annual subsistence fees

    You must pay an annual subsistence charge to NRW for as long as you hold your permit. NRW publishes its charging scheme annually. Failure to pay can lead to permit revocation.

Fees

NRW charges application fees and annual subsistence fees. The amount depends on the type and complexity of the permit. NRW publishes its charging scheme each year, usually taking effect from 1 April.

Key points about NRW fees:

  • Application fees are payable when you submit your application
  • Subsistence fees are invoiced annually
  • Fees may differ from Environment Agency charges in England for equivalent permit types
  • Pre-application advice may also be chargeable
  • Waste exemption registrations are free

Enforcement

NRW has powers to inspect regulated sites, issue enforcement notices, suspend or revoke permits, and prosecute offenders. Operating without a required permit, or breaching permit conditions, is a criminal offence that can result in unlimited fines or imprisonment.

If you breach a permit condition, notify NRW immediately and take steps to contain any environmental damage. Prompt self-reporting is taken into account when NRW decides what enforcement action to take.

What to do next

Once you hold a permit, you have ongoing responsibilities:

  • Monitor and record as required by your permit conditions
  • Submit returns and reports to NRW by the deadlines specified
  • Pay subsistence fees on time
  • Apply to NRW if you need to vary, transfer, or surrender your permit
  • Keep up to date with changes to environmental regulations in Wales, including any made under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016

NRW permits and official guidance