Responsibilities of licence holders
On application
While your application is being processed, you must contact relevant organisations to:
- Notify them of your proposal
- Seek objections or concerns
- Request details of existing apparatus in the area
If connecting to a public sewer, you must obtain a connection approval notice from Severn Trent Water.
Payment: Do not include card details on your form. We will contact you for payment once your application is registered.
Licence validity
Once granted, installation must take place within one year. If not, the licence may be terminated and a new application may be required.
Licences are reviewed annually. If no works have been carried out, we may contact you to confirm whether the licence is still needed. If not, it will be terminated.
Installation and reinstatement
Once your licence is granted, you must:
- Ensure your contractor is accredited, insured, and has a Section 171 permit to dig
- Plan and carry out works efficiently
- Meet all licence conditions
- Notify us of any issues
- Provide an as-built drawing when works are complete
Future maintenance
The licence covers the life of the apparatus or structure. You do not need a new licence for maintenance, but you must apply for a Section 171 permit to dig if excavation is needed.
If maintenance involves installing new apparatus in a different location, a new licence is required. The old licence will be terminated.
If a new excavation is made in an area still under guarantee, the new Section 171 permit holder becomes responsible for reinstatement and the guarantee period resets.
Change of ownership
If land ownership changes, the licence holder must:
- Notify us at least six weeks in advance
- Provide details of the new landowner
- Confirm whether the licence will continue or be terminated
If the new owner does not accept responsibility, the licence will be terminated and removal costs will be charged to the current licence holder.
Failure to notify us of a change in ownership is an offence and may result in prosecution and a fine.
Licence termination and removal
If the apparatus or structure is no longer needed, you must:
- Notify us and request licence termination
- Remove the apparatus or structure
- Reinstate the highway under a Section 171 permit
The licence will only be terminated after the works are complete. The contractor is responsible for reinstatement for up to three years.
Indemnity
You must indemnify the highway authority against all claims related to the licensed apparatus or structure. Insurance must cover at least £5 million per claim with no limit on the number of claims.
Highway authority powers
We may withdraw a licence, remove apparatus or structures, and recharge costs to the licence holder if:
- Licence conditions are not met
- The apparatus or structure is abandoned
- Land ownership changes without notification
- The apparatus or structure conflicts with our statutory duties
We will give at least seven days’ notice before taking action. If the licence holder does not respond, we will proceed with the works and charge all costs to the licence holder—even if they no longer own the land.
