The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 [2] provides Councils with additional powers to refuse or revoke a license if the dealer is considered unsuitable. Both the Council and the Police have been given powers to enter and inspect premises. Closure orders can also be sought by both the Police and the Council for un-licensed premises.

There are two different types of scrap metal licence, a site licence and a collector’s licence. Collectors’ licences cover dealers who do not have a site and regularly collect through door-to door collections. A site licence allows the dealer to carry on business at any sites in the District listed on the licence, while the collector’s licence allows a dealer to carry on business in a councils’ area. Where a dealer collects scrap metal across a number of local authority areas, they will be expected to obtain a licence from each of those Councils.

• Apply for a Scrap Metal Dealers Licence​ [3] and pay online [4]

• List of Fees [5]