Class Q: emergency Crown development

Class Q permits temporary development by or on behalf of the Crown on Crown land to prevent an emergency, limit its effects or take other action connected with it.

This is an England permitted development right in Part 19 of Schedule 2 to the GPDO. The relevant conditions and restrictions must be checked against the proposal.

How Class Q works

The developer must notify the local planning authority as soon as practicable after starting. Unless another permission applies, the use and structures must cease or be removed, and the land restored, within 12 months. The defined emergency covers serious threats to human welfare, the environment or United Kingdom security.

Read the current official Part 19 legislation for the complete wording and any amendments. Planning Geek can advise on the planning position and coordinate with appropriate specialists where needed.

Related: Crown land enforcement

Legislation for Class Q

Class Q – development by the Crown relating to an emergency

Permitted development

Q. Development by or on behalf of the Crown on Crown land for the purposes of—

(a) preventing an emergency;

(b) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency; or

(c) taking other action in connection with an emergency.

Conditions

Q.1 Development is permitted by Class Q subject to the following conditions—

(a) the developer must, as soon as practicable after commencing development, notify the local planning authority of that development; and

(b) on or before the expiry of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the development began—
(i) any use of that land for a purpose of Class Q ceases and any buildings, plant, machinery, structures and erections permitted by Class Q is removed; and
(ii) the land is restored to its condition before the development took place, or to such other state as may be agreed in writing between the local planning authority and the developer,
unless permission for the development has been granted by virtue of any provision of this Schedule or on an application under Part 3 or Part 13 of the Act.

Interpretation of Class Q

Q.2— (1) For the purposes of Class Q, “emergency” means an event or situation which threatens serious damage to—

(a) human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom;
(b) the environment of a place in the United Kingdom; or
(c) the security of the United Kingdom.

(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a), an event or situation threatens damage to human welfare only if it involves, causes or may cause—

(a) loss of human life;
(b) human illness or injury;
(c) homelessness;
(d) damage to property;
(e) disruption of a supply of money, food, water, energy or fuel;
(f) disruption of a system of communication;
(g) disruption of facilities for transport; or
(h) disruption of services relating to health.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b), an event or situation threatens damage to the environment only if it involves, causes or may cause—

(a) contamination of land, water or air with biological, chemical or radioactive matter; or
(b) disruption or destruction of plant life or animal life.

Explore GPDO Part 19

Page updated: 24th September 2026