Highways Licences

When you need a highways (building / construction) licence

Wherever there are building works that use or infringe upon the public highway or footway you will need a licence. For example:

• buildings with scaffold on the footpath
• cranes working on the public highway require a licence. Cranes that move over, or over sail, the highway need a specific Over Sailing Licence). 
• site hoarding fencing that is erect within 1 metre of the footway
• building materials being stored on the highway
• HGV vehicles crossing the footway to enter a site.

Highways Licence costs

• Scaffolding Licence application fee £202.88
• Hoarding Licence application fee £202.88
• Building Material Licence application fee £202.88
• Cranes Licence application fee £202.88 (The costs for an over sailing crane are different, see the costs and how to apply here)
• Habitual Licence application fee £202.88
• Portacabins Licence application fee £192.57

Once the application is accepted, you will be sent a quote for the deposit based on a site visit from a Highways Officer. This will be a minimum of £586.24.

Who is responsible for making a licence application

We accept applications from builders on behalf of the landowner. However, the landowner is ultimately responsible for making sure licences are in place.

Inspection timescale

We aim to inspect your site within 48 hours of your request. After this inspection, you can return your completed form along with your licence fee and deposit. We will aim to issue your licence within three to four working days.

Refunding your deposit

Once the works have been completed, please contact us to request the refund of your deposit. We will carry out a final inspection and, providing no damage has been done to the footway or carriageway, we will refund your deposit within 14 working days.

How to apply for a highways licence

Download the guidance notes and the application form:

To make an application for this licence, please email highways.licensing@barnet.gov.uk.

Initial stage

Once you have made an application, the forms will be emailed to you and a site inspection will be carried out. We will contact you and go through any conditions that you may need to meet during the course of the works and the amount of deposit we require from you.

Skips

If you're having work done within your property that needs materials, rubbish, solids etc. to be removed and stored temporarily on your street (highways), this must be done using a skip. Any skip that is placed on the highway network must be licensed by the Council to registered skip companies only.

If you are a resident and want to hire a skip you must organise this through a skip company. The skip company should arrange the licence.

How to register as a skip company

If you are a new skip company and need to register as a skip company with the London Borough of Barnet, please download the application form:

 and email the completed form to skips@barnet.gov.uk

How to apply for a skip licence

In order to apply for a skip licence, you must first be registered as a skip company. After you are set up as registered skip company, you can apply for a skip licence from Barnet Council. Please download the guidance notes and application form:

Skip licence cost

The cost for a skip licence is £60.52 for a minimum of 2 weeks. The cost for a skip licence for 4 weeks is £121.04.

If you fill the skip and have it emptied and replaced within the licence period this will not require a new licence.

The skip companies will be billed monthly for all of the licences they have taken out during that month. 

What the skip licence covers

The depositing of a skip in compliance with the guidance notes. Please download the guidance notes for further information:

Please note that the skip licence is granted to a specific address. Should the skip not be at the address that is licensed, you are likely to face a possible fine. If there is a reason why the skip cannot be at the address on the licence, you must contact Barnet Council immediately at skips@barnet.gov.uk

Skip licences issued by another council 

You are not covered in Barnet if you have a skip licence from another council. The licence is site specific. Each site with a skip requires a skip licence from us.

How long it takes to get a skip licence

We require 24 hours' notice from the skip company to issue them with a licence. However, if there are particular traffic issues on the road where the skip is to be deposited (e.g. bus route, narrow road etc.) a site inspection may be required to negotiate conditions and possible alternate locations for the depositing of the skip. In these instances it may take 3 days to issue the skip licence. Please note that the latest a skip licence application will be accepted is at 3pm. Anything submitted after this time will be looked at the day after and the 24 hours' notice will start from then.

The skip company involved will be informed of any traffic issues at the time of application.

Contact

Skip Licences
Highways - 6th Floor
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
NW9 4EW

Email: skips@barnet.gov.uk