Apply to put objects on highway land

What we'll need

When you contact us please provide the following information:

• Your name, address, phone number and email
• A site location plan
• Details of the object to be placed on the highway

You must have permission from us before items are placed on the highway so that they do not cause an obstruction or interfere with visibility or verge maintenance.

These items include:

• Tables and chairs placed on the pavement outside a café, restaurant or bar
• Seating and benches
• Notice boards
• Plants and shrubs
• Bus shelters (providing they are at a bus stop)

We will inspect the proposed site to check it is safe and will not cause an obstruction. We will then ask our colleagues in Legal Services to start the formal notice procedure and draw up an appropriate licence.

You can also change a permit to place tables and chairs on the pavement or road.

We will acknowledge your request within 10 working days and we will tell you the outcome within 10 weeks.

Please note that the target period only begins when we receive a fully completed application.

Public register

We are not required to keep a register of licensed obstructions on the highway, therefore this information is not available.

Introduction of New Charging Structure for Highway Licences

Due to the need to make financial savings we have unfortunately had to introduce full cost charging to all parties that apply for licences to erect structures on the highway (for example, planters, notice boards, shelters). Until now, we have not charged for the time it takes us to administer such highway licences, but going forward the charges will apply to all such requests.

The decision was agreed in response to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013/14 to 2015/16 and was included in the report to cabinet on 6 February 2013. This was also agreed at the full council meeting on the 20 February 2013.

Everyone who applies for one of these highway licences must pay a £165 administration fee. We do not bear the costs of the legal fees. Applicants must to provide an undertaking to our legal team to reimburse the legal costs associated with issuing the licence (these undertakings are usually around £350). Therefore the total cost of requesting such highways licences will be around £515.

Downloads

Application form to place tables and chairs or other objects on the highway