Scaffolding and hoarding

When carrying out any building work/maintenance or removal of any part of a property which is adjacent to the public highway (road, pavement or rear lane), the safety of all users of the highway must be paramount.

Apply for a scaffolding residential licence

Please read through the steps below before applying for a scaffolding residential licence.

The type of licence is determined by the type of property at ground level. Therefore, for properties above a business, please apply for a commercial licence

Applications in all cases should be submitted at least 10 working days before the licence is required.

The licence fee for two months is £270. A renewal is required after two months. Should the application be withdrawn a £70 administrative charge will be retained by the council and the balance returned to the applicant.

  • The scaffold shall be erected in a proper and secure manner and must minimise obstruction but in no case shall this be less than 1.20 metres.
  • The clear pedestrian access shall be agreed with the council, but in no case shall this be less than 1.20 metres. 
  • Consideration must be given as to the timing of erection/dismantling of the scaffold to inconvenience pedestrian traffic as little as possible.
  • The scaffold is to be painted in a colour to be approved by the council and be lit by approved lamps at no more than six metres centres at a height 1.8 metres above ground and operate at all times between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

You are required to submit:

  • A minimum public liability of insurance document of £5,000,000, 
  • A site location plan, and
  • A road space booking and road closure (subject to required Traffic management) in addition to applying for this licence.

If the conditions are not adhered to, this will result in a £250 fine for each contravention. 

Further guidance and conditions will need to be agreed to prior to applying, these can be seen when applying for a licence.

It is an offence to place scaffolding on the highway without obtaining a licence from the Council. Unauthorised residential scaffolding on the highway carries a fine of £480.

Apply and pay for: Scaffolding licence on a residential property