Applications, appeals, permitted development, enforcement and planning strategy across England
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Class E: Postal service providers
Class E of Part 16 provides limited permitted development rights for works required by a statutory universal service provider in connection with providing a universal postal service in England. It covers posting boxes, self-service machines and certain development on operational land.
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.
Which postal service works are covered?
There are two distinct parts to the permission. Class E(a) covers the installation of posting boxes or self-service machines. The wording of that part does not expressly limit those installations to operational land.
Class E(b) covers other development carried out in, on, over or under the undertaking’s operational land. Establishing that land’s legal status is therefore an essential step for works relying on E(b); simply occupying premises for a delivery business does not establish the test.
Both parts require the development to be for a qualifying universal service provider and connected with providing the universal postal service. Those terms take their meaning from Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011.
Does Class E cover every parcel locker?
No. A parcel locker does not qualify simply because it receives or dispatches parcels. A delivery company is not necessarily a universal service provider, and the purpose of the installation matters as well as the operator’s status.
For a proposed locker, establish who provides the service, whether the work serves the statutory universal service, and whether the particular installation falls within the permitted development described in Class E. The building and equipment restrictions below must also be satisfied. A landowner’s agreement to host the locker does not answer these planning questions.
Building and equipment restrictions
- Class E does not permit the erection of a building
- It does not permit reconstruction or alteration of a building where its design or external appearance would be materially affected
- Additional or replacement plant or machinery must not exceed 15 metres in height or the height of any existing plant or machinery, whichever is greater
Check whether the proposed structure is a building or plant or machinery before applying the height limit. A new building cannot rely on Class E merely because its height would be within the limit for plant or machinery.
Planning applications and other requirements
Class E contains no prior approval procedure. Where the qualifying purpose, land status or proposed works fall outside its scope, another planning route may be needed. Check the general GPDO rules and any applicable restriction as well. Our planning application fees page explains charges where an application is required.
Relevant legislation for postal service
The current statutory wording is set out below. Check the Changes to Legislation information on legislation.gov.uk for any outstanding amendments. The summary above does not replace the limits and conditions in the legislation.
Read the full Class E legislation
Permitted development
E. Development required for the purposes of a universal service provider (within the meaning of Part 3 of the Postal Services Act 2011 ) in connection with the provision of a universal postal service (within the meaning of that Part) consisting of—
(a) the installation of posting boxes or self-service machines,
(b) any other development carried out in, on, over or under the operational land of the undertaking.
Development not permitted
E.1 Development is not permitted by Class E if—
(a) it would consist of or include the erection of a building, or the reconstruction or alteration of a building where its design or external appearance would be materially affected, or
(b) it would consist of or include the installation or erection by way of addition or replacement of any plant or machinery which would exceed 15 metres in height or the height of any existing plant or machinery, whichever is the greater.
Postal Service Page Updated: 18th September 2026