Apply for a temporary structure licence for a highway

Applications for scaffold licences will be changing from 1 October 2024. Scaffold licences may now be applied for periods of one month or up to three months. The costs are changing in line with these new time periods.

An application form must be completed and returned no less than 10 working days before it is intended to erect or retain the scaffold on or over the highway.

Licence periods will not be extended. If an application is due to expire before the works are completed, a new application will be required. Applicants must decide when they begin the works if they will need the scaffold licence for 1 month or up to 3 months.

Please note:

• a licence to erect or retain a scaffold will only be issued to the company responsible for the management and use of the scaffolding
• the scaffolding contractor cannot also be the applicant unless they are engaged directly by a householder who is undertaking the work themselves
• both the scaffolder and applicant must have a minimum £10m public liability insurance
• where the scaffolding contractor or applicant directly employs operatives, employers liability insurance giving a minimum cover of £10m is required
• we reserve the right to increase required insurance amounts if it is considered that the site location requires a higher degree of cover
• a copy of regulated scaffolding association membership certificates or alternative ‘competence’ documents must be submitted with the application
• a sketch or plan showing the proposed location of the scaffold must be submitted with the application
• if additional permits are required due to the requirement for traffic management, footway or road closures then this will increase the lead time for your application

Payment for £210 for a one month licence and £300 for a three month licence effective from 1 October 2024, will be requested on receipt of the application unless your company has been approved for a monthly account. The application fee is non-refundable.

Submission of a form and payment does not mean permission has been granted and no scaffold may be erected or retain on or over the highway without a licence being granted first.

To apply please complete and return a WCC scaffold application form (PDF, 882 KB) to your local area office.

If granted:

• the licence will give details of the required standard of signing and guarding to be provided and the clearances to be maintained on or over the highway
• the licence will prescribe special conditions which must be adhered to at all times
• the scaffold must not obstruct access to statutory undertakers equipment and plant or highway furniture.

Placing a scaffold on or over the highway without a valid licence and/or failing to provide a valid scaffold licence for any scaffold placed on or over a public road is illegal. Warwickshire County Council will consider issuing a retrospective licence in these circumstances.

The charge for consideration of a retrospective scaffold licence is £315 for a one month licence and £450 for a three month licence effective from 1 October 2024. The charge is payable regardless of whether the scaffold licence is granted.

Warwickshire County Council may also take other enforcement action as deemed appropriate.