Case Reference: 101002000368
Response details:
Dear Cllr Stephanos Ioannou,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding skips placed in front gardens and the impact on pavements and grass verges.
Im responding from Planning Enforcement. While this isnt within our enforcement remit, it is my understanding that a skip only requires a Council permit when it is placed on the public highway. If a skip is entirely on private land (e.g., a front garden), a permit is not required. However, where a skip lorry crosses a pavement or grass verge without a lawful vehicle crossover (dropped kerb), this could cause damage to the public highway.
Responsibility for preventing, inspecting and addressing such damage lies with the Highways Service under the Highways Act 1980, rather than planning legislation.
As your enquiry is general rather than about a specific location, any actual instances of pavement or verge damage should be reported directly using the Council?s online form so the relevant team can investigate:
– https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/roads-and-transport/road-and-pavement-maintenance
I hope this answers your query.
Best regards
Team leader – Planning Enforcement
Original enquiry description:
what is the legislation/practice, in Enfield, when it comes to the placement of skips in the front gardens of properties where the skip lorry has to cross the grass verge and or pavement causing damage. Is this an offence or does the Authority grant permission to do this? If permission is given what follow up is taken regarding damage? From my observation there are many more skips in front gardens than on the road where I know that they do require a Skip Permit.