Request environmental permit coordination for major projects
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-01)

How to get extra support for projects in England that require a complex range of environmental permits and licences.

This guidance describes how you can ask the Environment Agency to coordinate pre-application advice and decisions for large or complex projects.

This coordination is called a ‘priority tracked service’.

You can use this optional service to help you submit multiple applications effectively.

Project types this service supports

You can ask the Environment Agency for extra coordination if your proposal:
- relates to a major infrastructure project or complex housing development
- requires multiple environmental permits or licences, or a combination of both
Examples of projects that could benefit from this service include:
- new underground gas or water pipelines
- new reservoirs
- major road or rail construction
- housing or industrial development on land that requires remediation
The priority tracked service applies to:
- A1 installations permits
- abstraction licences
- flood risk permits
- impoundment licences
- waste permits
- water discharge and groundwater activity permits
What you will get

If you use the priority tracked service, you can get early advice on:
- when to apply for permits and licences
- how to avoid delays
It will give you a single point of contact to:
- manage multiple requests for pre-application advice and permit applications
- provide you with regular updates on progress
- work with different teams across the Environment Agency to provide you with project specific advice and timely decisions
If your project uses the priority tracked service, you should request enhanced (paid-for) pre-application advice to make sure your applications are of good quality.

The priority tracked service does not replace the normal application process. You still need to submit all necessary applications using the required forms and supporting information.

How much it costs

The priority tracked service costs £100 an hour plus VAT.

You will get a written cost estimate before the Environment Agency starts work coordinating your project. This will include:
- a list of the work they will carry out
- when you will be charged
If you send new information related to your request, the Environment Agency may need to revise the cost estimate. They will write to you to agree any changes to the scope of the work.

If you can, you should provide the following as early as possible:
- a high-level project proposal
- what applications you plan to submit and when
- critical project milestones
You must pay the charges promptly. If you do not, this will lead to delays or the Environment Agency withdrawing the service.

Request coordination

To request a priority tracked service for your project, complete this form.

Start now (https://submit-form-to-defra.service.gov.uk/request-environmental-permit-coordination-for-major-projects)

If you cannot use this form, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

After you have sent your request

The Environment Agency will:
- contact you to discuss your project proposal and timetable
- either agree to provide a coordination service or explain why they cannot
- provide an estimate of their charges for the service
Withdrawing the service

The priority tracked service is optional. The Environment Agency can stop providing the service if:
- you do not pay charges on time
- you do not give enough information in your requests
- you do not follow their advice
- they do not have the resources or people available to provide the service
Other support to help you prepare applications

If the priority tracked service is not suitable for your project, there is other support available.

Check the guidance on:
- applying for a water abstraction or impounding licence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/water-management-apply-for-a-water-abstraction-or-impoundment-licence)
- waste: environmental permits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/waste-environmental-permits)
- A1 installations: environmental permits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/a1-installations-environmental-permits)
- discharges to surface water and groundwater: environmental permits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/discharges-to-surface-water-and-groundwater-environmental-permits)
- flood risk activities: environmental permits (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-activities-environmental-permits)
And you can request free and enhanced advice. Find out how to:
- get advice before you apply for an environmental permit (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-advice-before-you-apply-for-an-environmental-permit)
- get advice before you apply for a water abstraction or impounding licence (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-advice-before-you-apply-for-a-water-abstraction-or-impounding-licence)
For some applications you can ask to submit information in stages (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/send-environmental-permit-application-information-in-stages).