Container Planning Permission Bolton
Understand whether you need planning permission for a shipping container in Bolton, including requirements for public and private land placement
Planning Permission for Shipping Container in Bolton
Placing a shipping container in Bolton means checking the local planning and highways rules first. This guide explains when permission is needed, how to apply for licences, and what it costs to place containers on public or private land.
When Planning Permission Is Not Required
Most short-term uses of shipping containers on private land in Bolton are exempt from planning permission. Examples include:
- Storing furniture or equipment during a house move or renovation.
- Using a container for seasonal or temporary business storage.
- Short-term placement on construction sites.
As long as the container does not permanently change the land’s function or significantly affect its appearance, planning permission is unlikely to apply.
When Planning Permission May Be Needed
You may need formal approval if your container is:
- Placed permanently or long-term on private land.
- Converted for commercial purposes, such as an office, café, or retail unit.
- Installed in sensitive areas, including conservation zones or near listed buildings.
- Large or visually intrusive enough to alter the character of the site.
Always check with Bolton Council Planning before making long-term commitments.
Containers on Public Land
If you plan to place a shipping container or site cabin on public land in Bolton, including highways, pavements, or other council-managed areas, you must apply for a licence. Without it, the container may be removed, and penalties may be applied.
Licences are issued by Bolton Council’s Highways & Engineering Division. You can:
- Download the application form: Bolton Council Site Cabin Application
- Email enquiries:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fees for Highway Licences
Bolton Council charges fees for placing a container on public highways (valid until March 2025):
- Non-traffic-sensitive roads: £12.50 – £36.00 per 7-day licence
- Traffic-sensitive roads: £17.50 – £41.00 per 7-day licence
- Town centres: £28.00 – £74.00 per 7-day licence
See the full fee schedule at the Bolton Council Highways Licence Page.
Containers on Private Land
For private land in Bolton, you usually don’t need a permit for temporary use. Examples include short-term storage during building works or house moves.
However, you may need planning permission if:
- The container is placed permanently.
- It changes the character or appearance of the land.
- It is used commercially, for example, as a shop or workshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I place a container without a licence?
Containers placed on public land without the correct licence can be removed, and you may be fined. Always secure a licence before installation.
How do I know if my road is traffic-sensitive?
Traffic-sensitive roads are routes with higher traffic flows or special restrictions. To confirm, contact Bolton Council’s highways licensing team at
Do conservation areas have stricter rules?
Yes. If your property is in a conservation area or near a listed building, planning permission is more likely to be required, even for temporary containers.
Next Steps
If you’re planning to place a shipping container in Bolton, Shipping Containers of Manchester can help. We provide secure containers in various sizes and guide you through the planning and licensing process.
- Tel: 0330 0130 636
- Email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Explore our Bolton container services
- Container sizes: 10ft, 20ft, 40ft
A few of our Trustpilot reviews.
Great service and good value
Very helpful staff who answered any questions I had and provided a quote promptly for the hire of a storage container. The whole process from my initial enquiry, to ordering a container and it being delivered to site was straightforward and efficiently handled. The storage container was in a very good, clean condition and good value to hire.
Excellent company - great service
We were messed around by another supplier and so after weeks of waiting to no avail we got a refund and went to these guys. Their communication was excellent and within days we had our container delivered. Container in excellent condition, the delivery driver was very helpful and arrived on time, and the total price was the cheapest we could fine. Highly recommended.
From initial contact through to…
From initial contact through to delivery the whole experience was excellent. In particular promised phone calls to arrange delivery and access issues happened on time and everything went smoothly.
Office Hours
Monday : 9:00-17:30
Tuesday : 9:00-17:30
Wednesday : 9:00-17:30
Thursday : 9:00-17:30
Friday : 9:00-17:30
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed
Tel: 0330 0130 636