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General Permitted Development Order

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Part 4: Temporary buildings and uses

You might not want a permanent change of use and instead be looking for a temporary change. The GPDO has you covered in Schedule 2, Part 4

This covers items ranging from buildings to support construction, temporary campsites,  car boot sales, schools, marquees in listed buildings, filmmaking and so much more.

Class B is probable the most common used, which is the use of land for any purpose for up to 28 days a year. However as with any temporary use, the devil is in the detail. use any of the links below to go to the relevant pages.

Whilst a change of use might not need permission, any external building work associated with a change of use may still require planning permission. The table below simplifies the complex legislation and should be read as a guide only, and in conjunction with the additional comments and restrictions below. Where we have articles on this Planning Geek website we have added direct links. P4/Class…. refers to the various sections within the GPDO – see this page for all those sections.

If applications are required or you need clarification, Planning Geek can assist. Reach out to us via this page. 

Classes for temporary buildings and uses:

For permanent changes of use from say Offices to Residential, see this section.

The various Classes with Part 4 are as follows:

Table showing options under Part 4 with temporary changes

Class A – temporary buildings and structures

Class B – temporary use of land

Class BB – moveable structures for historic visitor attractions and listed pubs, restaurants etc

Class BC – temporary campsites

Class C – use as a state-funded school for 2 academic years

Class CA – provision of a temporary state-funded school on previously vacant commercial land

Class CB – temporary provision of buildings for a school with a RAAC-affected building

Class D – commercial, business & service etc to temporary flexible use

Class DA – Restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and drinking establishments with expanded food provision to temporarily provide takeaway food

Class DB – Development consisting of a change of use of a building which is a qualifying high-street premises within the meaning of section 192(2) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (“the 2023 Act”) and any land within the curtilage of that building to a suitable high-street use (as defined by section 192(4) of the 2023 Act) for the duration of a tenancy granted following a rental auction of the premises held under Part 10 of the 2023 Act

Class E – temporary use of buildings or land for filmmaking purposes

Paragraph F – definition of words and phrases used in Part 4

Page Updated: 3rd June 2025