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Class B: Construction of shop trolley stores
Class B permits a trolley store within the curtilage of a shop. The store must not exceed 20 square metres or 2.5 metres in height. The 20 metre rule is wider than a shared-boundary test: no part of the store may be within 20 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of a building used for a Part C residential or institutional use, or as a hostel, and it must not be above or below such a building.
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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.
Class B is not available within the curtilage of a listed building. Where the store would sit between a shop front and a highway, the distance from the shop front to the boundary of the curtilage must be at least 5 metres. The building or enclosure may only be used for storing shopping trolleys. Class B has no prior approval procedure.
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Trolley store legislation
Class B – construction of shop trolley stores
Permitted development
B. The erection or construction of a trolley store within the curtilage of a shop.
Development not permitted
B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B if—
(a) the gross floor space of the building or enclosure erected would exceed 20 square metres;
(b) any part of the building or enclosure erected would be—
(i) within 20 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of; or
(ii) above or below,
any building used for any purpose within Part C (residential premises or institutions) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order or as a hostel;
(c) the height of the building or enclosure would exceed 2.5 metres;
(d) the development would be within the curtilage of a listed building; or
(e) the development would be between a shop front and a highway where the distance between the shop front and the boundary of the curtilage of the premises is less than 5 metres.
Condition
B.2 Development is permitted by Class B subject to the condition that the building or enclosure is only used for the storage of shopping trolleys.
Interpretation of Class B
B.3 For the purposes of Class B—
“shop” means a building used for any purpose within Class E(a) (display or retail sale of goods other than hot food) of Schedule 2 to the Use Classes Order; and
“trolley store” means a building or enclosure designed to be used for the storage of shopping trolleys.
Current legislation: Part 7 of Schedule 2 on legislation.gov.uk
Trolley store Page Updated: 23rd September 2026