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Class CA: temporary state-funded school on vacant commercial land
Class CA of Part 4 allows temporary school buildings to be provided on qualifying vacant commercial land and the land to be used as a state-funded school in Class F.1(a) for up to 3 academic years.
Unlike Class C, Class CA can include new temporary school buildings. It is subject to detailed size and siting limits and requires prior approval before development begins.
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 counts as vacant commercial land?
For Class CA, all buildings on the land must have been demolished. The land must last have been used for Class C1 hotels, Class C2 residential institutions, Class C2A secure residential institutions or Class E commercial, business and service use.
The land must also have been used within the 10 years before the prior approval application. If the last qualifying use was more than 10 years earlier, Class CA is not available.
Building and site limits
- The new buildings must not cover more than 50% of the total site area
- The total floor space of the new buildings must not exceed 2,500 square metres
- No part of a temporary building may be within 5 metres of adjoining residential land
- No new building may exceed 7 metres in height
- The site cannot be or form part of a SSSI, safety hazard area or military explosives storage area
Prior approval is required
The site must first be approved for use as a state-funded school by the relevant Minister. Before development begins, the developer must then apply to the local planning authority for prior approval covering transport and highways, noise, contamination, flooding, and the siting and design of the development.
The Class CA procedure applies the Part 3 paragraph W prior approval process with modifications. A prior approval fee applies, so check the current amount on our planning fees page.
Three academic years, once per site
Development must begin within 3 years of the prior approval date. The temporary school permission lasts for 3 academic years and may only be used once in relation to a particular site.
At the end of the third academic year, or sooner if the buildings are no longer required for the state-funded school, the temporary buildings must be removed and the land restored unless a different restoration condition has been agreed in writing with the local planning authority.
If prior approval is refused
Class CA prior approval carries a fee, so check the current charge on our planning fees page. If the local planning authority refuses prior approval, the decision can normally be challenged through the planning appeal process.
Relevant legislation
Class CA of Schedule 2, Part 4 of the GPDO contains the statutory wording for this permitted development right.
Class CA Temporary State Funded School Page Updated: 22nd September 2026