Applications, appeals, permitted development, enforcement and planning strategy across England
Planning explanations, updates and practical guidance in video form
Part 7: Non-domestic extensions, alterations etc
Part 7 of Schedule 2 to the GPDO contains permitted development rights in England for a wide range of non-domestic premises. It covers commercial, business and service premises, shops, industrial and warehouse buildings, waste management facilities, schools, colleges, universities, prisons and hospitals.
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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.
These rights are class-specific. A proposal can fall outside permitted development because of its size, height, position, use, protected location or a condition attached to the relevant class. Do not assume that one set of commercial permitted development limits applies across Part 7.
Classes F and G were omitted in 2021 when the commercial rights were recast around Use Class E, which is why the lettering jumps from Class E to Class H. Class CA for reverse vending machines was added in 2026, when Class M was also amended. Each page below includes the operative wording and a practical summary.
You can also check the current Part 7 legislation on legislation.gov.uk.
The current classes and interpretation provision within Part 7 are as follows:
Class A – Extensions etc of commercial, business or service premises
Class B – Construction of shop trolley stores
Class C – Click and collect facilities
Class CA – Reverse Vending Machines
Class D – Modification of shop loading bays
Class E – Hard surfaces for commercial, business or service premises
Class H – Extensions etc of industrial and warehouse
Class I – Developments relating to an industrial process
Class J – Hard surfaces for industrial and warehouse premises
Class K – Waste deposits from an industrial process
Class L – Development at waste management facilities
Class M – Extensions etc for schools, colleges, universities, prisons and hospitals
Class MA – Alteration etc., of prison fences
Class N – Hard surfaces for schools, colleges, universities or hospitals
Paragraph O – Interpretation of Part 7
Part 7 Page Updated: 23rd September 2026