When carrying out any building work, maintenance or removal of any part of a property which will require scaffolding, mobile tower, fencing or hoarding on the Highway you are required to obtain a licence from the Highway Authority.

Scaffolding on the Highway can only be put up by qualified contractors who must hold the relevant Street works Supervisor and Operative's card.  In addition to this they must have a minimum of £5 million public liability insurance.

If you are wishing to use a mobile tower or erect fencing or hoarding on the Highway the applicant must be covered by £5 million public liability insurance. 

How do I apply for a Scaffold Licence? 

A scaffolding application form needs to be submitted by your nominated scaffolding contractor, this is because they hold the relevant qualifications and insurances.

Please click on the following link to review our schedule of conditions for erecting scaffolding on the Highway.

Gantry or Cantilever scaffolding

In some circumstances it may be that a Gantry or Cantilever scaffolding will be required, this is generally due to the location of the works.  If this is the case your scaffolding contractor will need to supply design drawings of the proposed scaffold and will also need to complete the Scaffold Design Declaration for any gantry or non Basic Scaffold on or over the Highway.

How do I apply for a Mobile Tower/Fencing or Hoarding Licence?

A hoarding / fencing or mobile tower on the highway application form needs to be completed by the contractor or person who will be erecting the structure and will need to have public liability insurance to the value of £5m.  A copy of the public liability insurance will need to be submitted with the application form.  

How long does it take?

A non emergency application takes a minimum of 2 weeks to process

What is classed as an emergency?

An emergency application can be submitted if there is a danger to the general public. In this situation your scaffolder will need to submit the application form then attend site to begin erecting the scaffold.  

How much does it cost? 

If you know that the works are going to take longer than 1 calendar month you can apply for a longer duration on the intitial application. This can work out cheaper than applying for an extension each month. A schedule of the charges are shown below:  

Licence fee

Emergency Licence fee

Extensions and Changes to Licence

All scaffolding applications are invoiced to the scaffolding contractor on a monthly basis.

Please note that our licence fees are subject to review every April and licences submitted after April 1st will be subject to any new fees.

Payment for mobile tower, fencing or hoarding licences can either be submitted with the application or payment by card can be taken once the application has been approved.  

Your completed application form can be submitted via post to Streetworks, Western Group Centre, Radnor Road, Scorrier, TR165EH or via email to streetworks@cornwall.gov.uk