Outraged

[Guest]

I have a flat in London (1st floor) overlooking a high street. I need to re-render the facade after many years of deterioration, hence need to erect scaffolding for approx 4-5 metres on the pavement. Local Council demand c£650 licence! This would be more than 25% of the cost of the whole job! Clearly this licence fee is intended for building companies, not individuals, and it seems way out of proportion for the task at hand. I have complained by email - surprise, surprise no response. A fellow freeholder suggested there may be a portion of the pavement that does not belong to the Council?? Seems dubious to me, but thought I might as well ask... I know, technically all the freeholders should contribute, but I've been waiting for about two years already for consensus on general renovation of the building, and so far no end in sight, and my damage is now at crisis point and I'd rather go ahead and get it fixed.