Understanding Skip Hire Permits in Essex
If you need to clear out large amounts of waste from your home in Essex – whether it’s as a result of an overgrown garden, a kitchen or bathroom refit, or even just because you’ve allowed it to build up over the years and need to create some space – skip hire is usually the most convenient and trouble-free way of dealing with it.
Many homes have a drive or other space where a skip can be placed for several days while the work is ongoing, but what do you do if you don’t have room on your land? Many terraced houses, for example, don’t have their own drives or front gardens.
If you can’t have a skip on your own land, you usually have to keep it on the road outside your property. However, you can’t just drop a skip on the road whenever you feel like it, because it may impact local traffic flow or represent a hazard to pedestrians and other road users. For that reason, before placing a skip on a public road, you need an official permit from your local authority.
But what form does that permit take and how do you go about getting one? In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about getting a permit for your Essex skip hire.
What is a skip permit?
A skip permit represents official permission from the relevant local authority to place a skip on a public road. The permit may include conditions, such as where the skip can be placed, any restrictions on its dimensions, and how it is to be made visible to oncoming traffic and at night.
Without a permit, not only will your skip be immediately removed, but you will be guilty of an offence and could be subject to a fine. In order to make sure that your skip is visible, you may well be required to provide lighting, traffic cones or other markings.
Legislation surrounding skip permits can be found in the Highways Act 1980, Section 139.
When do you need a skip permit?
You need a skip permit when you do not have space for a skip on your own land and need to place it on a public highway. Note that this does not necessarily just mean the road, but also includes grass verges and public footpaths. In most cases, you will not be able to place anything larger than an 8 yard skip on a public road.
Please note that if you rent your property, you are advised to get permission from your landlord before placing a skip on land associated with that property. You may also need to ask permission from neighbours if the skip is to be placed on shared – but not public – land.
How do you get a skip hire permit?
Only licensed skip hire contractors can apply for a skip permit – members of the public cannot get a permit themselves, because proof of public liability insurance in advance is a statutory requirement. When you hire a skip through CSH Environmental, we will therefore make the necessary application on your behalf.
Please note that requests to Essex County Council for a skip permit take at least five working days to process, so you need to factor this in when making plans.
How long does a skip hire permit last?
Skip permits in Essex are valid for two weeks. If you are going to need your skip for longer than this, we will need to apply for an extension to the licence. For a renewal licence to be processed, three working days’ notice is required.
How much is a skip hire permit in Essex?
As of 1 April 2024, our charge for securing a skip permit is £150 + VAT, with a further £150 + VAT charge for each subsequent renewal that is required. This charge will be included as part of your bill with CSH Environmental.
Here at CSH Environmental, we offer a comprehensive skip hire service to residential and commercial customers in Essex, including those based in and around Chelmsford and Colchester. With a variety of skip sizes to suit any waste management project, we’re sure to have the right skip for your needs.
We’re also committed to keeping your skip hire experience affordable and trouble-free, and that includes managing all aspects of your skip permit, if one is required.
If you’d like to book a skip or find out more about any of the waste management services available at CSH Environmental, please get in touch with us now.
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