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Class I: Development relating to an industrial process
Class I covers development on industrial land needed for an industrial process. It includes additional or replacement plant or machinery, sewers, mains, pipes, cables and other apparatus, as well as a private way, private railway, siding or conveyor.
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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.
For additional or replacement plant or machinery, the development must not materially affect the external appearance of the premises and its height must not exceed 15 metres above ground level or the height of what it replaces, whichever is greater. Those two restrictions apply specifically to the plant and machinery limb of Class I.
Class I contains no prior approval procedure. The full wording is below.
If you need any assistance with Class I and an industrial process, please get in touch.
Industrial process legislation
Class I – developments relating to an industrial process
Permitted development
I. Development carried out on industrial land for the purposes of an industrial process consisting of—
(a) the installation of additional or replacement plant or machinery;
(b) the provision, rearrangement or replacement of a sewer, main, pipe, cable or other apparatus, or
(c) the provision, rearrangement or replacement of a private way, private railway, siding or conveyor.
Development not permitted
I.1 Development described in Class I(a) is not permitted if—
(a) it would materially affect the external appearance of the premises of the undertaking concerned; or
(b) any plant or machinery would exceed a height of 15 metres above ground level or the height of anything replaced, whichever is the greater.
Interpretation of Class I
I.2 For the purposes of Class I, “industrial land” means land used for the carrying out of an industrial process, including land used for the purposes of an industrial undertaking as a dock, harbour or quay but does not include land in or adjacent to and occupied together with a mine.
Current legislation: Part 7 of Schedule 2 on legislation.gov.uk
Industrial process Page Updated: 23rd September 2026