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Class R: Crown security gates and fences
Class R permits the Crown to erect, construct, maintain, improve or alter gates, fences, walls and other enclosures on Crown land for national security purposes.
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.
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.
How Class R works
A new gate, fence, wall or enclosure must not exceed 4.5 metres above ground level. The national security purpose and Crown land requirement are central to the right.
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 R
Class R – erection etc of gates, fences etc by the Crown for national security purposes
Permitted development
R. The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure by or on behalf of the Crown on Crown land for national security purposes.
Development not permitted
R.1 Development is not permitted by Class R if the height of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure erected or constructed would exceed 4.5 metres above ground level.
Explore GPDO Part 19
- Part 19 overview: Crown and national security
- Class A: General development by the Crown
- Class B: Operational Crown building extensions
- Class C: Development on operational Crown land
- Class D: Hard surfaces at Crown buildings
- Class E: Airbase operational development
- Class F: Air traffic services inside an airbase
- Class G: Air traffic services outside an airbase
- Class H: Air traffic services on operational land
- Class I: Emergency air traffic apparatus
- Class J: Temporary land use for air traffic services
- Class K: Crown surveys and investigations
- Class L: Buildings on an airbase
- Class M: Crown rail development
- Class N: Crown shipping development
- Class O: Spreading dredged material
- Class P: Lighthouses and aids to shipping
- Class Q: Crown emergency development
Page updated: 24th September 2026