Depending on the activity intended, the type of licence required varies, with each requiring different approaches and application methods. Consideration needs to be given to costs, time frames, expiry dates and the renewal processes associated with each one.

Subject to receiving all the necessary background planning permission/listed building/conservation area consents required to apply for your licence (we will guide you on this), Urban Thinking Ltd. will submit the application and pay the statutory fees to the relevant Council within 7 days.

To prevent delay, it is important that you enclose all the necessary documents and payment as advised on the application form.

We shall then seek to ensure that the Council processes your licence application within 12 working days of receipt.    

Skips

To place a skip on the highway without first applying for and being granted a licence is an offence under The Highways Act and may result in a prosecution. It needs to be covered by a local Highway Authority licence.

It is the responsibility of the householder or builder / contractor to obtain the highway permit. The skip owner (supplier) has the responsibility to ensure that skips are positioned on the highway in such a way that they do not cause an obstruction to other road users. The supplier is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate regulations are adhered to.

Temporary structures

When do I need a temporary structure licence?

Temporary structure licences are issued for up to 3, 6 or 12 months. If you need to work beyond the expiration date of your licence, you will need to apply for a new one. Renewal is not automatic, and will depend on the way work has been carried out during the period of the original licence.

You need a temporary structure licence if you want to:

         • erect scaffolding on the public highway
         • erect hoardings (these may affect access to gullies, manhole covers, fire hydrants etc.)
         • make any structural alteration, demolition to a vault or cellar
         • provide temporary crossings for vehicles that need to cross the footway to reach the site
         • excavate part of the highway in order to access repairs to the site
         • store materials on the public highway
         • erect gantries, hoists and site huts
         • erect cranes, aerial platforms and concrete pumping

When don’t I need a temporary structure licence?

If you are erecting a structure on the public highway that is dismantled at the end of the working day, you may only need to complete a Highways indemnity form for the works you are carrying out, e.g. a mobile tower scaffold.

If your works are not occurring on the public highway, but you need to carry hazardous materials over the public highway, you will also need to complete an indemnity form.

An indemnity form requires the applicant to take responsibility for the works they are carrying out on or over the public highway and leave the Local Authority harmless from any form of legal action.

You must insure that you have sufficient Public Liability Insurance cover. There is no fee associated with completing the form although it will need to include a risk assessment for the work you intend to carry out.

Scaffolding and Hoarding Licence

If you want to erect scaffolding or a hoarding to contain building works on a public road or pavement, you need to apply for a licence. A hoarding licence is also required if you want to install a conveyor belt which overhangs the pavement.

Scaffolding must comply with a large number of design, highway and public safety criteria with the scaffolding contractor and the main contractor sharing responsibility for ensuring that work is carried out safely.

If scaffolding affects street furniture, further permission will also be required to re-site or remove those items i.e. lamp columns. If a lamp column cannot be repositioned, you may have to provide alternative lighting fixed to the structure, lit and maintained to the satisfaction of the relevant Council.

Temporary and Permanent Crossings

If vehicles need to cross the footway to reach the site, you must construct a temporary crossing, for which you will need a licence.

On occasion it may be necessary for the Council’s approved contractor to install the temporary crossover.

Vault Bridges

In some instances, to facilitate works to vaults or cellars underneath the public highway, it may be necessary to provide a vault bridge, for which a licence will be required. The structure, in the form of a bridge with a platform and handrail, helps maintain pedestrian access over the working area by spanning the existing public footway for its full width and necessary length, whilst providing a working area underneath for the remedial works. Access over the Vault Bridge is normally provided by ramps placed at both ends with a maximum 1:10 gradient to facilitate disabled pedestrians and wheelchairs. Only in exceptional circumstances will access by steps be permitted.

You should be aware that quite often, in busy built up areas, it is not possible to permit a Vault Bridge as the ramps will interfere with, or prevent access to, adjoining properties. In this instance an alternative method must be sought.

Gantries, Hoists and Site Huts

For the introduction of gantries, hoists and huts it will be necessary to secure a licence from the Council if it is intended to introduce these over or on a public thoroughfare.

Usually permission will not be granted for the erection of gantries for storing materials or as working platforms for hoists and associated equipment if there is any practical alternative on site.

Hoists

Mechanical or platform hoists must not descend onto, or operate from the public highway. Permission will only be granted for hoists to be operated from a gantry platform at first floor level or above.

Gin wheels and other forms of rope or cable operated hoists must be used only on the outside of scaffolding, and then only when the scaffolding reaches the kerb edge. In these circumstances building materials must be hoisted from the carriageway and are never permitted over the footway. Any other kind of hoisting must be carried out on private land.

The hoisting of hot tar buckets is not permitted on the road except from a gantry platform, and is never permitted from the footway.

Site Huts

Councils do not allow site huts or office accommodation to be put on gantries on or over any part of the public highway. Offices must be contained within the boundaries of your site.

If there is not enough space on site for accommodation, you should use alternatives such as rented office space.

The one exception is where a building has been totally demolished and open basement construction is to be carried out. In this circumstance temporary accommodation on a gantry may be allowed for welfare and messing facilities, only, and for a set period of time. This is decided on a case by case basis and the licence submission should be made to the relevant department.

Excavations and Materials

A temporary structure licence is required to allow you to deposit materials or carry out certain excavations on the public highway, however, the City Council will not normally grant consent to store materials on the public highway. Materials should be stored on site.

Excavations

You need consent for any excavations in the public highway involving works, pavement lights, smoke extractor panels, vaults, basements or coal chutes.

When work is completed the surface of the public highway must be temporarily reinstated and made safe. You must sweep up all residue and wash down the area.

If the re-instatement involves apparatus beneath the highway, it is necessary to apply to the Council for consent under the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Usually the Council's approved contractors will carry out all permanent reinstatements at the Licencee’s expense.

Storage of Materials

A licence is required for the storage of materials on the public highway. It is also necessary to ensure that any associated fencing meets certain pre-set criteria.

Cranes, Aerial platforms and Concrete Pumping

Tower crane jibs must not oversail the public highway without the permission of the Council. This usually requires an application that must include a scale drawing showing the radius of the jib and the extent of oversail. There is also a need to ensure that indemnity is in place before permission is granted.

To operate mobile cranes, aerial platforms or concrete pump lorries on the public highway, you must get consent from the Council.

If you need to close a road, you must comply with the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 and allow for further consultation. There is a licence and charge for a closure order. Please see our section on temporary road closures.