Do you need a skip permit in Gateshead?
Yes, if the skip will go on the public highway, which includes the road, the pavement and grass verges. Gateshead Council issues skip permits for the borough. A skip on private land, such as your driveway, does not need a council permit.
What a skip licence costs in Gateshead
A standard Gateshead Council skip permit costs £40 and lasts up to 28 days. Only skip hire companies can apply, so the company you hire from arranges it. Operators who are not in the council's permit scheme must provide a waste carrier licence, a £5 million public liability insurance certificate and card details with each application.
Skip companies can join the council's permit scheme for £70 a year. Members pay £30 for a standard permit and can get a same-day permit for £65 if they apply before 3pm and before the skip goes out. Other published fees:
- Renewal for up to a further 28 days: £25, or £17 for scheme members
- Retrospective permit after a permit has expired: £65
- Retrospective permit for a skip placed with no permit: £130
Retrospective permits last a maximum of 14 days, and placing a skip without a permit can lead to enforcement action. Our skip permit guide explains how permits work.
Council rules for a skip on the road
- The skip must be no more than 5 metres long and 2 metres wide.
- Both ends must carry red and yellow diagonal reflective markings, and the owner's name and phone number or address must be shown.
- At night, at least one yellow lamp must be lit on the side nearest the traffic.
- Three cones go in a diagonal line at the end facing oncoming traffic.
- The skip must sit with its long side parallel to the kerb, without blocking drains, footways or access to property.
- It must be at least 14 metres from a bus stop or road junction and leave enough carriageway clear for traffic to pass.
- It must not be filled above the rim or hold dangerous or dusty material, and any spillage must be cleared straight away.
- Tell the skip company within a day of the skip becoming full; they should collect within one to two days.
- To keep a skip longer, the company should apply for a renewal at least 48 hours before the permit runs out.
Skips on grass verges in Gateshead
Gateshead does not allow skips on grass verges from October to March. Between April and September a skip can stand on a verge for a maximum of 14 days. If the verge is the only space outside your home in winter, the choice is a drive, the road or waiting until April.
Recycling centres near Gateshead
Gateshead Council runs two household waste and recycling centres, and you must book a 30-minute slot online before you visit. Slots can be booked up to two weeks ahead.
- Cowen Road, Blaydon, NE21 5TW: for Gateshead residents only.
- Campground, Springwell Road, Wrekenton, NE9 7XW: open to Gateshead and Sunderland residents. It has a 2.3-metre height barrier.
From 1 April to 30 September both sites open 9am to 6pm every day. From 1 October to 31 March they open 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm at weekends. Both close on Christmas Day, and the last slot of the day is for cars, motorbikes and bikes only. Staff may ask for a driving licence or proof of address.
Per visit, the centres take up to six bin bags of rubble, up to six bags of ceramic tiles and up to five bags or three sheets of plasterboard, plus soil and up to four tyres.
Vans, vehicles towing a trailer, pick-ups, minibuses and campervans need a free waste permit, applied for online before you book a slot. Each permit covers one visit within 28 days, and there is a limit of 12 permits a year per vehicle, property and person. Vans towing trailers, box vans and flatbed trucks are not allowed. Permit loads are limited to one tonne and six bags of rubble.
Bulky waste collection in Gateshead
Gateshead Council charges for bulky collections by item, with a minimum charge of £17. Its published prices are £2.10 for a small item such as a microwave, £8.50 for a medium item such as a sofa, mattress or washing machine, and £45.70 for a large item such as a garage door or trampoline. Corner sofas are charged per section.
Book online or by phone. Collections are usually two to ten working days away. Items must be out by 7.30am on the day, within your property boundary. Loose rubble and garden waste are not collected unless bagged or bundled, and upholstered furniture containing persistent organic pollutants must be kept separate. If you cannot list your items, the council offers a clearance quote for a £30 visit fee, which comes off the final cost if you go ahead.
Choosing a size
For heavy waste like soil or rubble, most suppliers limit you to a smaller skip, often 6 yards or less, because weight rather than volume is the limit. The size guide works it out from what you are clearing.
Skip hire in Gateshead: common questions
How much is a skip permit in Gateshead?
A standard permit is £40 for up to 28 days. Skip companies in the council's permit scheme pay £30. Only the skip company can apply, so ask whether the permit is included in your quote.
Can I have a skip on the grass verge in Gateshead in winter?
No. Skips are not allowed on verges from October to March, and from April to September a verge permit lasts a maximum of 14 days.
Can I get a skip permit on the same day in Gateshead?
Yes, if your skip company is in the council's permit scheme. Members can apply for a same-day permit before 3pm, for £65.
How much rubble can I take to a Gateshead tip?
Up to six bin bags of rubble per visit at Cowen Road or Campground, and you need to book a slot first. For more than that, a skip is usually the easier option.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.