Permitted Development: the "Use Classes Order 1987" and the "General Development Order 1988"

The purpose of the law of town and country planning is to control all development and redevelopment of land with the aim of achieving a balance between the conflicting needs and objectives of the many different groups and individuals interested in its use. In recent years the law has grown markedly both in volume and complexity. In addition to the primary legislation, the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, two vital statutory instruments set the bounds of planning control. The Use Classes Order 1987 allows specified changes of use of land to take place without planning permission; and the General Development Order 1988 in turn grants planning permission for a wide range of different types of development. Both of these orders are the result of the fundamental review of planning control conducted by the Government, and both are in radically different form from their predecessors. In Permitted Developments these two key instruments are set out in full. Barristers, solicitors, architects and surveyors, students of town and country planning law or anyone working in planning departments in central or local government will find this of benefit.