To hold a gathering such as a street party on the public highway, you must apply to get permission from the council.
Informal gatherings such as a few people going to a local park or open space for a picnic together will not require permission.
There is a clear difference between a street party and a public event. If what you are doing is to attract the general public then this will likely be an event.
If you are unsure if something is considered a street party or you are unsure about permissions please contact us at events@basingstoke.gov.uk before you make any plans.
View the Street Party site for tips on planning a street party
To hold a street party you will need to complete:
If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of agreement for your party for you to sign and return to the council by the due date. Full permission will not be in place until this is received at the council.
If further information is required we will give you a call to discuss your plans.
If your street party involves any licensable activities such as selling alcohol, putting on musical entertainment (live or recorded music), or selling hot food or drinks between 11pm and 5am you will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
For detailed information on licensing requirements contact the council’s Licensing Team by emailing licensing@basingstoke.gov.uk.
We believe that you should have some public liability insurance cover just in case anything unthinkable happens at your party and somebody is seriously injured resulting in claims against you.
Insurance is available through many different insurers at a small cost if you decide to take out a policy.
Hampshire Highways may request the organiser to have Public Liability Insurance to close the road.
If you plan on hiring in facilities such as caterers or bouncy castles, you will also need to send across copies of their Public and Product Liability Insurance and risk assessment to events@basingstoke.gov.uk.
Public Liability Insurance is not covered by the council.
To temporarily close your road for a street party, you will need to apply to the council for permission for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, contact events@basingstoke.gov.uk for guidance. Please allow a minimum of 6 weeks notice for a road closure application to be processed.
If you are closing the road then you will need to consider how to do that and what signage or barriers you will need. Guidance can be found on the street party website.
Do consider:
Your street can be brought to life by the use of bunting, banners and flags.
Think about where you will put them and how you will fasten them. It is very easy to fall off a ladder so consider a safe way of doing it. You don’t want people getting hurt.
Hampshire County Council is responsible for granting permission to hang bunting. To encourage street parties, the county council has removed the need to apply for a licence and obtain the necessary insurance as long as it is a small scale street party and that the road is closed. The county council does request that you complete a form online to give information on what you are doing.
Guidance for organising a street party (Streetparty.org.uk)
Guidance for Neighbours’ picnics on parks, playing fields and other green spaces (Streetparty.org.uk)
Guidance for organising a street party (GOV.UK)
Your guide to organising a street party (GOV.UK)
Find out more about Eden Project Communities The Big Lunch
Apply for a banner consent
Events on, or impacting the highway, traffic advice for street parties and other public events
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