Minor operations

The GPDO covers minor changes to a property under Part 2. Any of these permitted developments could be withdrawn via a restriction on the building usually through a previous planning application or via restrictions in a conservation area etc. This section is broken down into 6 sub-sections. 

These are:-

Class A – gates, fences, walls etc.
Class B – means of access to a highway
Class C – exterior painting
Class D – electrical outlet for recharging vehicles
Class E – electrical upstand for recharging vehicles
Class F – closed circuit television cameras

Class A – gates, fences, walls etc

The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure. The maximum height allowed is 1m on any part of a property adjacent to a highway (schools may go to 2m if not causing a visibility issue for highway users) and 2m elsewhere. This permitted development does not apply to listed buildings.

Class B – means of access to a highway

The formation, laying out and construction of a means of access to a highway which is not a trunk road or a classified road, where that access is required in connection with development permitted by any Class in this Schedule (other than by Class A of this Part).

This means that if something has been constructed as a result of permitted development in the GPDO, then construction of a driveway or similar is also permitted development to access this construction. Erecting a fence is not sufficient. 

Class C – exterior painting

The painting of the exterior of any building or work.

The right to paint your property in any colour unless the you try and paint your property for an advertisement, announcement or direction.

Class D – electrical outlet for recharging vehicles

The installation, alteration or replacement, within an area lawfully used for off-street parking, of an electrical outlet mounted on a wall for recharging electric vehicles.

This is to allow the installation of a wall mounted charging point for electric vehicles. You can’t however install this on a listed building, within 2m of a highway if facing it, in a scheduled monument or if the unit is over 0.2 cubic metres. If it is no longer required, then Class D says that the unit must be removed. 

Class E – electrical upstand for recharging vehicles

The installation, alteration or replacement, within an area lawfully used for off-street parking, of an upstand with an electrical outlet mounted on it for recharging electric vehicles.

This permitted development right is to allow the erection of an upstand for charging of electric vehicles.

If within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats the maximum height is 1.6m above where the cars are parked. If within any other location, i.e. service areas the maximum height is 2.3m above where the cars are parked.

It can’t be within 2m of a highway, or within a scheduled monument or a listed building. You also are limited to 1 upstand per parking space. 

Class F – closed circuit television cameras

The installation, alteration or replacement on a building of a closed circuit television camera to be used for security purposes.

This permitted development right allows the erection of CCTV for security reasons. You can’t install these on a listed building or within a scheduled monument. You can have a maximum of 16 cameras on a building as long as not more than 4 are along any one wall. It can’t exceed 0.75 metres by 0.25 metres by 0.25 metres in size or less than 2.5m above ground level or within 10m of another camera. Finally it can’t protrude more than 1m or be within 1m of another wall.

Updated: 15th August 2019 to reflect the new larger permitted upstands for charging electric vehicles away from domestic dwellings under Class E