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The Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1977
In 1977 we saw a new version of the GDO produced. This version replaced the 1973 version as well as the three amendments made to it.
This order applied to the whole of England and Wales.
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The 1977 Order was principally a consolidation of the 1973 Order and its three amendments, but it also made some minor changes. Its explanatory note records, among other things, updated references to the new Regional Water Authorities and a new consultation requirement involving the Theatres Trust. The telecommunications changes came later: SI 1985/1011 introduced definitions including microwave antenna, satellite antenna and public call boxes.
The definition of a terrace house arrived in 1981. SI 1981/245 also increased the normal dwellinghouse extension allowance from 10 percent to 15 percent, while retaining the lower limit for terrace houses.
The Use Classes Order 1987 also affected the later life of the 1977 GDO. The 1987 amendments adjusted change-of-use provisions to work with the new use-class structure.
SI 1977/289 was laid before Parliament on 8th March 1977 and came into operation on 29th March 1977.
You can view the original version here.
The 1977 GDO was amended repeatedly before it was replaced. One further amending Order, SI 1977/1781, was made but revoked by SI 1977/2085 before it came into operation, so it is not included in the operative amendment list below. When researching what the law allowed on a particular date, check the amendments which were actually in force at that time rather than reading the final version backwards.
SI 1980/1946 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1980 – official version
SI 1981/245 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1981 – download here
SI 1981/1569 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1981 – download here
SI 1983/1615 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1983 – download here
SI 1985/1011 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1985 – download here
SI 1985/1981 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1985 – download here
SI 1987/702 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1987 – download here
SI 1987/765 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1987 – download here
SI 1988/1272 – The Town and Country Planning General Development (Amendment) Order 1988 – download here
There were also changes to the The Town and Country Planning (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Conservation Areas etc.) Special Development Order 1985, The Town and Country Planning (National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Conservation Areas etc.) Special Development (Amendment) Order 1986, Article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Government Reorganisation) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 1986 and The Town and Country Planning (Agriculture and Forestry Development in National Parks etc.) Special Development Order 1986 which had an impact upon the GDO of 1977.
This order was replaced by The Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988.
1977 in the GPDO timeline
1977 GDO updated: 24th September 2026