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Part 18: Miscellaneous development
Part 18 of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) contains two specialist rights in England. Class A concerns development specifically authorised by certain local or private Acts and orders. Class B allows specified booths, stalls, plant and machinery at an existing amusement park.
Neither class is a general permission for any project. The enabling Act or order, the established use of the land, the scale of the works and any approval requirements matter.
This page covers England. For the separate Welsh rules, see our Wales GPDO guide.
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.
What Part 18 permits
- Class A: Development under local or private Acts or orders. The instrument must identify the nature of the development and the land; some works need prior approval of detailed plans and specifications
- Class B: Development at amusement parks. This concerns specified entertainment structures, plant and machinery within land already used as an amusement park, with height limits
Checks before relying on either right
- Identify the correct class and the existing legal use or authorising instrument
- Check every restriction and condition in that class, including any required prior approval
- Consider Article 3 general restrictions, Article 4 directions and any separate consents
- Check whether the proposal includes other development needing express planning permission
Class A can depend on a separate consent or approval required by its enabling Act or order. Article 3(7) addresses when the GPDO treats development as authorised. Class B does not itself authorise establishing a new amusement park on land that is not already in that use.
Legislation and further advice
Read the current wording of Schedule 2 Part 18 and the general limits in Article 3. This section covers England. Wales has a separate GPDO.
If the enabling instrument, the land use or the extent of a proposed ride is disputed, contact Planning Geek for planning advice before works begin.
Page first published: 22nd March 2023. Page updated: 24th September 2026.