The erection of scaffolding and hoardings is restricted by legislation and requires a licence from the relevant issuing authority. For cases in Ipswich that means contacting Ipswich Borough Council. For the rest of Suffolk it is managed through Suffolk County Council (opens a new window).
Scaffolding
The Highways Act 1980 Sect 169
Scaffolding licences are only issued to companies who use appropriately qualified people to design and erect the scaffolding. They are not issued to individuals.
The forms to apply for a licence can be found in Downloads. To apply, please complete the relevant form and submit with the appropriate fee. The charge is £70 for a two month period. Any subsequent periods must be extended at an additional £70 per two month period. Long term scaffolds may be agreed by contacting the Building Control Systems Administrator on 01473 432961.
Hoardings
The Highways Act 1980 Sect 172
The act states "a person proposing to erect or take down a building in a street or court, or to alter or repair the outside of a building in a street or court, shall, before beginning the work, erect a close boarded hoarding or fence to the satisfaction of the appropriate authority so as to separate the building from the street or court."
The forms to apply for an agreement can be found in Downloads. Please complete and submit with the appropriate charge. The charge is £70 for a two month period. Any subsequent periods must be extended at an additional £70 per two month period. Long term hoardings may be agreed by contacting the Building Control Systems Administrator on 01473 432961.
Banners
The Highways Act 1980 Sect 178
There are two sites in Ipswich where banners can be displayed across the highway, at the two outer ends of Westgate Street and Carr Street in the town centre.
You can apply to have agreement to use these to sites to have a banner for maximun of two weeks at only one of the sites at a time. An application form is available in Downloads. The banner guidance sheet gives details of the size of the banner and cords required to secure it. It also gives information about how to apply.