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GPDO Article 1 – citation, commencement and application
This page explains Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. Wales has its own GPDO and a different set of Articles.
Article 1 tells us what the English GPDO is called, when it came into force and where it applies. It is short, but it establishes the starting point for every permitted development right in England.
The current Order is the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, usually shortened to the GPDO. It came into force on 15th April 2015.
The development rights themselves are mainly found in Schedule 2 of the GPDO. The Articles sit above those rights and set the general rules which make the Order work.
Article 1 applies the GPDO across England
Article 1 says the Order applies to all land in England.
There is an important qualification where land is subject to a special development order. In that situation the normal GPDO applies only to the extent, and with any modifications, specified by that special development order.
For most householders and ordinary development sites this will never arise, but it matters because the GPDO is not necessarily the only development order capable of applying to a particular piece of land.
Advertisements are dealt with separately
Article 1(3) makes clear that the GPDO does not apply to permission deemed to be granted under section 222 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for advertisements.
Advertisements have their own consent regime. See our guide to advertisement deemed consent rather than trying to find an advertising right in Schedule 2 of the GPDO.
Article 1 legislation
Citation, commencement and application
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and comes into force on 15th April 2015.
(2) This Order applies to all land in England, but where land is the subject of a special development order, whether made before or after the commencement of this Order, this Order applies to that land only to such extent and subject to such modifications as may be specified in the special development order.
(3) Nothing in this Order applies to any permission which is deemed to be granted under section 222 of the Act (planning permission not needed for advertisements complying with regulations).
View Article 1 on legislation.gov.uk.
For development in Wales, start with the Welsh GPDO Articles. The Welsh Order is different, so do not assume the English Article numbering applies there.
Need help with permitted development?
Permitted development can avoid a full planning application, but only if the right applies and every relevant limit and condition is met. Planning Geek can check the planning history, Article 4 directions and other restrictions, and help with a lawful development certificate or prior approval where needed.
Other GPDO Articles
The Articles are the framework for the General Permitted Development Order in England. Use the links below to move between the Articles or return to the main permitted development section.
Legal check: 6th September 2026