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Class K: Crown land surveys and investigations
Class K allows the Crown to use land temporarily to station and operate apparatus in connection with surveys or investigations. Its permission is about the survey equipment and land use, not permanent development.
England only. Welsh permitted development rules are separate.
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End the use and restore the land
On or before six months after the use began, the use must cease, the apparatus must be removed and the land restored to its previous condition, unless the local planning authority agrees another state in writing.
Keep a record of the start date, survey purpose, equipment and the proposed reinstatement.
Official source and further checks
The authoritative wording is Schedule 2 Part 19 of the GPDO 2015. Apply the general provisions in Article 3 as well as the class-specific rules. These pages describe England; Wales has its own GPDO.
Related: Crown land enforcement and the separate Crown development application route.
Wording of Part 19 Class K
The text below is reproduced for convenience. The current version linked above remains the source for a proposal.
Class K – use of land by the Crown in relation to surveys etc
Permitted development
K. The use of land by or on behalf of the Crown for the stationing and operation of apparatus in connection with the carrying out of surveys or investigations.
Condition
K.1 Development is permitted by Class K subject to the condition that on or before the expiry of the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which the use began, the use ceases, any apparatus is removed, and 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.
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 first published: 21st August 2023. Page updated: 24th September 2026.