Applying for a Section 50 licence

Who will need a Section 50 licence

If you or your organisation intend to carry out works within the public highway (including excavation or breaking through the highway surface) to install apparatus, you must apply for a Section 50 licence in advance of the works taking place.

This licence is issued to the owner of the apparatus only and cannot be granted to third parties working on their behalf.

Work covered by the licence

The term 'apparatus' includes:

• drains
• cables
• ducts
• sewer pipes
• water
• gas pipes

The licence applies to any person or organisation (other than anyone acting under statutory right) who wishes to place, retain, inspect, maintain, adjust, repair, alter or renew apparatus, or change its position or remove it from the highway.

This includes opening up the highway or boring beneath the highway in relation to apparatus in, under, over, across, along, or upon the highway.

Processing times

• minor works (up to 3 days): Minimum 1 week notice
• standard works (4–10 days): Minimum 4 weeks' notice
• major works (11+ days): Minimum 12 weeks’ notice

Documents you need to supply

You must upload your documents with your application. We will not consider any application that does not include the documents.

You need to provide:

• a 1:2500 sketch plan
• STAT plans
• proof of £10m Public Liability Insurance
• traffic management plans (If TM is required)
• written permission from existing utility if making a private connection
• copies of works undertakers NRSWA qualifications
• for a foul sewer connection, a Section 106 must be provided

Fees

The application fee is £1,500, covering up to the first 200 metres of excavation. An additional fee of £300 applies for works exceeding 200 metres, and for each additional 200 metre increment thereafter.

How to apply

Applications for a Section 50 Licence must be submitted via our online system.

• Guidance notes (docx format, 67 KB)

How to pay

BACS payments

Account name: OCC - Licensing & Streetworks DCI
Sort code: 308012
Account number: 15190568

Card payments

We cannot process card payments ourselves. However, you can use the GOV.UK payment process for permits to occupy the road.

You must upload the completed application and your documents to our Section 50 licences contact form. Select 'card payment' on that form. Then, follow the instructions below.

• download Card payment for Section 50 licence (pdf format, 23 KB).
• visit GOV.UK
• type in your email address
• upload the card payment for Section 50 licence PDF under 'Application form'
• click details under 'Supporting documents'
• tick the box 'OK, I'll submit all the documents by post instead' (you won't need to do this, but it will allow you to continue to pay)
• click Continue to pay fee
• type in the amount you need to pay and click Continue to payment
• check the amount and they click Continue to WorldPay website
• when making payment, please use ‘S50 and the location of works’ as the reference

Compliance and charges

All works carried out under a Section 50 licence must comply with the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and associated Codes of Practice.

 Failure to comply with these requirements may result in enforcement action, including the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).

Where works overrun beyond the agreed duration, charges may also be applied in line with Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

Applicants are strongly advised to ensure that all works are properly planned, notified, and completed within agreed timescales.

Notifying other organisations

Prior to the licence being processed by Oxfordshire County Council, the applicant is required to notify all statutory undertakers about plans to undertake the works. Undertakers contact list (pdf format, 118Kb). 

The statutory undertakers are obliged to identify whether their apparatus will be affected by the proposed street works.

The applicant is required to inform the affected frontages of the work at least four weeks in advance of any activity. This could be achieved, for instance, by letter drop or public exhibition.

Completion of works

It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform the street authority of the completion of the reinstatement by the end of the following working day, stating whether the reinstatement is interim or permanent using the Notification of Completion of Works form (S50-R) (doc format).

If this is not the license you require, please visit our licenses and permits page to see what licenses we offer. 

Lane Rental Scheme – Important information

Please be advised that Oxfordshire County Council operates a Lane Rental Scheme (OCCLRS). This scheme may have financial implications for the works you are planning.

You are strongly encouraged to review the OCC Lane Rental Scheme map to determine whether your proposed works are located on a designated lane rental street.

Please note that Lane Rental charges will be calculated and will need to be paid prior to a permit being issued.