Pavement Licensing Policy Consultation

Overview

Castle Point Borough Council is consulting on the draft Pavement Licensing Policy for Food and Drink Premises (October 2025 to October 2030).

A pavement licence is a licence granted by the Council, or deemed to have been granted, allowing the licence holder to place removable furniture on certain highways adjacent to their premises for selling, serving or consuming food or drink, or for ancillary purposes.

The draft policy reflects the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, which makes permanent the pavement licensing regime first introduced under the Business and Planning Act 2020. It introduces a standard fee cap for new applications and renewals, longer consultation and determination periods, a longer maximum duration for licences, and new powers for local authorities to remove unlicensed furniture.

The policy explains:

• Who can apply and what furniture can be permitted.

• How to make an application, including the information and supporting documents required.

• Fees, timescales and how applications are consulted on and determined.

• National conditions, including the no-obstruction condition and the smoke-free seating condition, and local conditions.

• Enforcement powers, removal of furniture, appeals, and the relationship with planning permission.

You can read the full draft policy in the document provided with this consultation:Draft Pavement Licensing Policy (PDF)

Why your views matter

This policy explains how pavement licences are granted and enforced. Your views will help the Council ensure it supports businesses while keeping highways safe and accessible for all users, including disabled people.