Scaffold permit

Overview 

It is the responsibility of the builder or scaffold hire company to apply for a licence for any scaffolding that is to be put up on the highway (this includes the pavement). 

It is the responsibility of the owner of the property to check the builder or scaffold hire company have this legal document and that it does not run out before the building work is finished.  

Anyone erecting a scaffold on the highway should be aware of the following requirements: 

• It is an offence to erect a scaffold on the highway without our permission acting as the highways authority; 
• We may grant permission (licence) with or without conditions; 
• The owner of a scaffold must ensure that it is erected in accordance with safety conditions attached to the licence. 

The charge for a 12-week licence is £160 per scaffold permit. Permit renewals are £32 for 28 days and must be submitted before the original permit expires. 

Contact us if an extension to the permit is required.

How to apply 

Before you begin, it might be helpful to have copies of the following documents on your computer.  We will ask for these during your application: 

• copy of your public liability insurance to value of £5m 
• sketch of the proposed location of scaffolding
• payment for your permit application

After completing the form, before you submit, you will be able to check and edit your answers. 

We will ask for your card details as payment is needed before you can submit the form. 

Apply for a scaffold permit

What will happen next 

Online applications can take up to 10 days to process. This may take longer if information is missing or incorrect. 

We will use the contact details provided if we need to get in touch. 

This application may be granted subject to the applicant also complying with the conditions as specified in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (opens new window).

All works should comply with the British Standards Code of Practice BS EN12811-1:2003 Temporary Works Equipment- scaffolds.

Complaints or queries about scaffolding

If you have a complaint about the placement of scaffolding, please contact the scaffolding company directly to try and resolve any issues. The name and contact information of the scaffold company should be on the scaffold. 

If you have already contacted the scaffolding company and have had no resolution to your issue, contact us. 

You can also contact us if you have concerns about scaffolding and would like to check to see if it has a permit.