Applying for a skip licence or permit

Anyone wishing to place a skip on the highway must obtain a permit from the council.

How do I apply for a skip permit?

Skip permits are issued to the council's approved skip companies, not directly to the public. You will need to contact a skip company from the council's list of approved providers and allow 24 hours for the permit to be processed.


View the council's list of approved skip companies (Excel doc.)


Conditions are placed on the licence to ensure that the skip is placed for a minimum period of time, emptied frequently, made safe at night, and not used for storage of hazardous/dangerous materials, or used for fly tipping. They must not be overloaded or the skip company will not remove them.

Materials can be stored on the highway, provided residents and building companies seek permission from the Council. Find out how to apply for a building materials licence here.

When are skips not allowed on the highway?

On some roads permission will not be granted to place skips on the highway. This will be at the discretion of the appointed officers of the council.

The roads affected will normally be those forming part of the Transport for London Route Network, the Strategic Route Network and the Borough Principal Road Network (i.e. main roads and bus routes).

Applicants are advised that further restrictions may be imposed on some roads in the run up to, and during the the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Joining the council's approved list of skips companies

If you are a company and would like to join the council's list of approved skip providers, please contact Skips.Scaffolding@newham.gov.uk for an application form or the Network Management and Street Works Team administrator on 020 3373 1463. Alternately you can request an application form via fax on 020 8430 1041.

Companies will be supplied with the council's requirements, permit application form and methods of payment.

Placing a skip on the highway without a permit is an offence for which you can be fined up to £1000.00. Any company found doing so, may result in the issue of a fixed penalty fine of £150.00 or, in more serious cases, prosecution by way of summons to the Magistrates Court.