A licence to place building materials on a highway

When will you need this licence?

  • You will need a licence if you wish to place building materials on the public highway. A licence is required even if the placement is temporary.

It is an offence under Section 171 of the Highways Act 1980 to place building materials on the public highway without a licence. If you do not get a licence or follow the licence rules you will be prosecuted.

If materials are placed on the public highway, they should be placed on the carriageway, rather than the footway. 

Any damage caused to the highway will be recharged to the licence holder. A licence is not required if building materials are placed on private land.

Applying for a licence to place building materials on a highway

To apply for a licence to place building materials on a highway you need to:

Download an application

What happens next

  • Please allow up to 10 working days for us to process your application.
  • We will contact you about how you can complete your payment once we receive your application.

Fees for a licence to place building materials on a highway

For a licence covering an area of up to 10 square metres, the following charges apply:

  • £727.10 - Deposit
  • £200.00 - Licence fee (first month)
  • £150.00 - extension per month - for each month including renewals.
  • £350.00 - Welfare unit

Terms and conditions

View the Building Materials on a Highway Terms and Conditions.