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Class M: Crown rail development
Class M permits development by or on behalf of the Crown on operational Crown land where it is required for the movement of traffic by rail.
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 M works
It does not authorise constructing a railway, railway station, bridge or hotel. The Class also excludes the specified commercial, residential and educational buildings in M.1. Establish that the land is operational Crown land and that the works serve rail traffic.
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 M
Class M – development by the Crown on operational Crown land connected to rail
Permitted development
M. Development by or on behalf of the Crown on operational Crown land, required in connection with the movement of traffic by rail.
Development not permitted
M.1 Development is not permitted by Class M if it consists of or includes—
(a) the construction of a railway;
(b) the construction or erection of a hotel, railway station or bridge; or
(c) the construction or erection otherwise than wholly within a railway station of an office, residential or educational building, car park, shop, restaurant, garage, petrol filling station or a building used for an industrial process.
Interpretation of Class M
M.2 For the purposes of Class M, references to the construction or erection of any building or structure include references to the reconstruction or alteration of a building or structure where its design or external appearance would be materially affected.
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