Apply for a Pavement Licence
What is the purpose of the new process for pavement licences?
This new process introduces a streamlined and cheaper route for businesses such as cafes, restaurants and bars to secure a licence to place furniture on the highway. This will help support them to operate safely while social distancing measures remain in place. This will provide much needed income over the summer months and protect as many hospitality jobs as possible. There is an existing process under Highways Act 1980, applications can still be made under the Highways Act, the main differences between the regimes are outlined below
Pavement License Regimes
| | Tables and Chairs Permit (Highways Act 1980) | Pavement Licence (Business and Planning Act 2020) |
|---|
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Time Limited
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No
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Up to 12 months
minimum 3 month term
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Consultation Period
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28 Days
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5 Days
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Right to Appeal
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Yes
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No
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Fee
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£75.00
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£75.00
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Furniture must be removable
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No unless stated otherwise in conditions
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Yes
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Annual Fee
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£35
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N/A
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Furniture must be placed adjacent to premises
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As per plan attached to licence
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Yes
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Furniture Permitted
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Tables and Chairs for the purpose of refreshment
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- counters or stalls for selling or serving food or drink;
- tables, counters or shelves on which food or drink can be placed;
- chairs, benches or other forms of seating; and
- umbrellas, barriers, heaters and other articles used in connection with the outdoor consumption of food or drink
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Please click here to view the most recent information from the government.
Prior to applying for a licence, you should familiarise yourself with the national and local conditions to ensure that your proposals do not breach the national requirements. Please click here to view the conditions.
Current Applications
To view our current applications for Pavement Licences please click here.
Apply for a licence
- A licence is valid for a minimum of 3 months, however licences will not be valid beyond 30 September 2021
- Grant of a licence: £75
- Please click here to apply for a permit
With your application you will be asked to provide:
- A copy of your Public Liability Insurance (covering at least £5 million against any liability, loss or damage)
- A plan showing the following measurements;
- Size of proposed furniture
- Area where the furniture is to be placed
- Distance of highway left clear when furniture is in position (this must be a minimum of 1500 mm)
- a plan showing the location of the premises shown by a red line
- Photos showing the proposed type of furniture
- A fee of £75
After you've applied
When we have received and checked your application a notice will be displayed at the premises by an officer, this notice must be in place for 5 working days.
We will contact Kent Highway Services and then carry out a 5 day consultation. We will write to:
- Kent Police
- Kent County Council Highway Services
After the consultation period we will write to you to tell you whether your application is successful. If it is successful, we will send a licence to you to display in your window. If you do not hear from Dover District Council if your application is successful after 10 working days, the application will be deemed to have been granted.
We will keep your licence under review and any failure to comply with licence conditions could result in you losing the licence. You will also be liable for any rectification works.
Contact the Licensing team
Email: licensing@dover.gov.uk
Telephone: 01304 872295
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