Licences for objects on the highway

You need permission to place an object on the public highway that will cause an obstruction. An object can be any physical thing that will obstruct the free movement of people on the public highway. Most commonly, this includes ‘A’ board advertising structures, tables and chairs and promotional activity.

If you are seeking permission to place tables and chairs in the public highway for the consumption of food and drink, you need to apply for a pavement licence
For other objects on the highway please read the information below

Permission for items such as cranes, skips, scaffolding, highways occupation and highways projection is managed by Gloucestershire County Council.

Our special procedure for occasional street trading and objects on the highway provides special guidance for applications for occasional street trading or consent to place objects on the highway where the application relates to some form of promotional activity.

Special procedure for occasional street trading and objects on the highway

This special procedure relates to applications for occasional street trading or consent to place objects on the highway where the application relates to some form of promotional activity.

The guidance sets out the procedure the council expects applicants to follow when making an application for consent to hold promotional events in the town centre. For the purpose of this guidance note, unless otherwise stated, it is irrelevant whether the promotional event is charitable, not for profit or commercial in nature.

Choosing a location

Cheltenham’s town centre is mostly pedestrianised, with certain access points for vehicules. Because of this, there is limited suitable space for certain objects to occupy space in the town centre. The council has therefore designated specific spaces in the town centre suitable for objects and vehicles associated with promotional events:

Corner of High Street and Cambray Place
Promenade (outside Cavendish House)
High Street (outside Marks & Spencer)

PDF Icon Corner Of High Street And Cambray Place Objects Up To 9M2 - pdf - 547 Kb

PDF Icon Promenade Outside Cavendish House Objects Up To 9M2 - pdf - 547 Kb

PDF Icon High Street Outside Marks And Spencer Objects Up To 9M2 - pdf - 547 Kb

Please note that it will be the applicant’s responsibility to choose an appropriate location for the application.

What application to make

Street trading

To sell items associated with your promotional event, you will need to make an application for street trading consent. If you intend to sell alcohol, email us at licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk.

If you apply for street trading consent, consent for the objects associated with your event will be covered and there will not be a need for you to make an additional application for permission to place an object on the highway.

Permission to place an object on the highway

If you are not selling items, but will have objects (such as banners, tables, chairs, marquees) with your promotional event, you will need permission for objects to be placed on the public highway.

Vehicles only

If your promotional event involves only a mechanically propelled vehicle to be parked with no other objects such as banners, tables, chairs or marquees, you can get permission directly from us. Email licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk or call 01242 262626.

Handing out leaflets and other printed promotional material

If you want to distribute any free printed promotional material, you will need to apply for a permit to do so. Please visit our distributing leaflets information page.

If you will be handing out free alcohol samples, please email licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk or call 01242 262626.

What happens next?

Your application will be subject to a consultation that will last for 28 days starting on the day after we receive your application in full. Applications may be referred to the council's licensing committee to be determined.

If the consent is granted, we will send it by email to the email address provided by you on your application form.

You must have a copy of the consent with you during the promotional event in case sight is required by an authorised officer.

What is “public highway”?

Under common law, a highway can be broadly defined as a way over which all members of the public have the right to pass and repass. Although most highways are roads or streets - footpaths, verges and public spaces can also be classed as public highway.

It is important to note that privately maintained highway can also be classed as public highway if there exists a public right of way over it.

If you are unsure about the legal status of any highway, please contact us. You can also read our licensing policy for more guidance.

Making an application

To make an application to place annual or temporary objects on the highway, you will need to submit the following documents to us along with your application form:

Photograph of the object(s) for which permission is sought
Scale plan indicating where the proposed object(s) will be placed

Please note that in all cases you will need to confirm that you have public liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of £5 million.

When making the application you will need to pay a non-refundable administration fee. If your application is successful, you will need to pay an additional consent fee. Please see our fees page for details.

Apply online to place promotional objects such as A-boards on the highway

Applications for consent to obstruct the highway under the Highways Act 1980 are non-refundable. Please ensure you have read our street scene policy and guidance notes. Applications which do not adhere to this policy may be rejected by a licensing officer unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated

Fees

Pavement licence fees
Item	Fee
New application	£500
Renewal application	£350

Advertising, information and promotional objects fees
Item	Fee
Administration fee - charity or non-profit (not refundable for unsuccessful applications)	£69.53
Administration fee - commercial (not refundable for unsuccessful applications)	£189.66
Consent fee - charity or non-profit (in addition to administration fee)	£69.54
Consent fee - commercial (in addition to administration fee)	£189.66
Advertising structures (new and renewal)	£132.76

Determining your application

For new applications, there is a statutory 28 day consultation period. During this time, any other frontages and businesses likely to be affected by your proposal will have the opportunity to submit comments to the council. If these are objections, we will need to refer the application to the council’s licensing committee for a decision.

There is no right of appeal against the refusal or revocation of a consent.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent does not apply. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. We expect to process applications within 58 calendar days. This time frame takes into account the need for a Licensing Committee hearing. Where a decision is delegated to licensing officers, the time frame for deciding an application is likely to be less.

If you have not heard from us within the time frame above, please contact us.

Varying a consent

If you want to vary any aspect of your consent, please email us in the first instance at licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk. You may need to complete a new application form and submit the relevant documents. For example, if you want to increase the space you have permission to occupy, you would need to submit a revised scaled drawing.

Reference guides and policy

We have produced a number of guidance documents to help you:

General guidance notes
'A' Board guidance notes
Design guide - this document gives you guidance on the appearance of your object(s)
Objects on the highway conditions
Policy for street scene activities
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Redress

For failed application redress, please email licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk in the first instance.