Who issues skip permits across Tyne and Wear
Each council in Tyne and Wear issues skip permits for the streets in its own area. You need one only when the skip goes on the public highway, including the road, pavement or verge. Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland councils confirm that a skip on a drive or other private land needs no council permit, and the skip company normally makes the application.
- Newcastle City Council: £40 for up to 28 days, with about 10 weekdays to process an application and £5 million public liability insurance required. Works can be restricted on some streets during major events. See skip hire in Newcastle.
- Gateshead Council: £40 for up to 28 days, or £30 for operators in the council's £70-a-year permit scheme, with a £65 same-day permit for members who apply before 3pm. A skip placed without a permit costs £130 retrospectively. No skips on grass verges from October to March. See skip hire in Gateshead.
- Sunderland City Council: for 2025 to 2026, £34 for 14 days (or 7 days in the city centre), £47 for 21 days and £58 for 28 days. Operators must register with the council for £120 a year, the target processing time is two working days, and a retrospective licence costs £335. See skip hire in Sunderland.
- North Tyneside Council: a permit costs £15 per skip, and companies supplying skips must hold the council's skip operator's licence. An unlicensed skip found on the highway carries a £100 retrospective charge.
- South Tyneside Council: the skip company must be registered with the council as a skip operator, be a registered waste carrier and hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million. Applications need a map of the skip's position and its dimensions, and the council aims to decide within two working days of a complete application. A permit is not granted automatically if you hear nothing. The fee is not shown on the council's permit page, so ask your supplier.
If a job is close to a council boundary, the permit comes from the council for the street where the skip will stand, not where the supplier is based. Our skip permit guide explains how permits work.
Recycling centres across Tyne and Wear
Household waste and recycling centres are run by each council for its own residents, and you may be asked for proof of address. Gateshead, North Tyneside and Sunderland sites need a booking.
- Newcastle: Brunswick, Byker and Walbottle, open every day. Visitors need photo ID and proof of a Newcastle address. Vans need a permit and can only use Brunswick, which does not take rubble or DIY waste.
- Gateshead: Cowen Road in Blaydon (Gateshead residents only) and Campground in Wrekenton (Gateshead and Sunderland residents). Every visit must be booked online, and rubble is limited to six bin bags a visit.
- North Tyneside: one centre, on Wallsend Road (NE29 7SH), open 8am to 8pm every day except Christmas Day. Every visit needs an appointment, the site is for North Tyneside residents only and you will be asked for proof of address. Some vehicles, including vans, need a permit, and there is no access on foot.
- Sunderland: Pallion, for Sunderland households only and by appointment, plus Campground in Gateshead. Rubble and soil are limited to six bags combined.
None of the centres we checked accepts asbestos, and none accepts trade waste. Because household sites take only small amounts of rubble, soil and plasterboard, a skip is usually the practical choice for a renovation or garden clearance.
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 Tyne and Wear: common questions
Which council do I need a skip permit from in Tyne and Wear?
The council for the street where the skip will stand: Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside or Sunderland. Your skip company applies to that council on your behalf.
Where is the cheapest skip permit in Tyne and Wear?
Of the published fees we checked, North Tyneside's £15 per skip is the lowest, followed by Sunderland's £34 for 14 days, then Gateshead's and Newcastle's £40 for 28 days. South Tyneside does not publish its fee on its permit page. Ask your supplier whether the permit is included in the quote.
Can a Sunderland resident use a Gateshead tip?
Yes, but only Campground in Wrekenton. Sunderland residents with a van or trailer need a free Gateshead Council permit to use it.
Do I need a permit if the skip goes on my drive?
No. Skip permits cover the public highway only, and Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland councils confirm that a skip on private land such as a drive needs no permit.
Council details checked October 2026. Fees, opening times and booking rules can change, so confirm them with the council or your supplier.