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Class P: Crown shipping aids
Class P covers Crown development on operational Crown land, or for operational purposes, involving lighthouses, buoys and beacons.
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 P works
It includes the use of land as a lighthouse, its extension or alteration, and the placing or removal of a buoy or beacon. It excludes erecting offices and office works that materially affect design or external appearance.
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 P
Class P – development by the Crown on operational Crown land etc relating to aids to shipping
Permitted development
P. Development by or on behalf of the Crown on operational Crown land, or for operational purposes, consisting of—
(a) the use of the land as a lighthouse, with all requisite works, roads and appurtenances;
(b) the extension of, alteration, or removal of a lighthouse; or
(c) the erection, placing, alteration or removal of a buoy or beacon.
Development not permitted
P.1 Development is not permitted by Class P if it consists of or includes the erection of offices, or the reconstruction or alteration of offices where their design or external appearance would be materially affected.
Interpretation of Class P
P.2 For the purposes of Class P—
“buoy or beacon” includes all other marks and signs of the sea; and
“lighthouse” includes any floating and other light exhibited for the guidance of ships, and also any sirens and any other description of fog signals.
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