The Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule
Publication 2015-02-25
Last updated 2023-07-04
State In force
Jurisdiction Northern Ireland
Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland
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Made: 25th February 2015

Coming into operation: 1st April 2015

The Department of the Environment makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred on it by sections 32 and 247(6) of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 .

Application, citation and commencement

1

Interpretation

2

Permitted Development

3

unless the council or, as the case may be, the Department has given a determination pursuant to regulation 5 of the EIA Regulations that the proposed development is not EIA development.

Directions restricting permitted development

4

Notices relating to Article 4 directions

5

Cancellation of Article 4 directions

6

Directions restricting permitted development under Part 16

7

Transitional provisions

8

SCHEDULE — DEVELOPMENT PERMITTED UNDER ARTICLE 3

PART 1 — DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CURTILAGE OF A DWELLINGHOUSE

development is not permitted by Class D if the total area of ground covered by buildings, enclosures and pools situated more than 20 metres from any wall of the dwellinghouse would exceed 10 square metres.

PART 2 — INSTALLATION OF DOMESTIC MICROGENERATION EQUIPMENT

Class A Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development Permitted development A. The installation, alteration or replacement of solar PV or solar thermal equipment on the roof of— a dwellinghouse; or any building within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if— any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would protrude more than 20 centimetres beyond the plane of any existing roof slope which faces onto and is visible from a road; any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would exceed— the height of the highest part of any existing ridged roof; or 1.5 metres above the plane of any flat roof; in the case of solar PV or solar thermal equipment installed in a World Heritage Site or conservation area— the roof slope to which they would be fitted faces onto and is visible from a road; or any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment fitted to a flat roof would be visible from a road; any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would extend beyond the edge of the existing roof; or the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions A.2 Development is permitted by Class A subject to the following conditions— the primary purpose of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be to provide heat or energy for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and any solar PV or solar thermal equipment no longer used to provide heat or energy shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class B Class B Class B Class B
Permitted development Permitted development B. The installation, alteration or replacement of solar PV or solar thermal equipment on— the wall of a dwellinghouse; the wall of any building within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse; or any wall within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B if— any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment installed within 3 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse and exceeding 4 metres in height extends more than 20 centimetres beyond the plane of the wall; any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment when installed would extend beyond the boundary of the wall; for Class B(a) or (b) development, any part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment installed on the wall of a chimney would exceed the height of the highest part of the roof; in the case of solar PV or solar thermal equipment installed on a wall within a World Heritage Site or conservation area the wall would face onto and be visible from a road; or the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions B.2 Development is permitted by Class B subject to the following conditions— the primary purpose of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be to provide heat or energy for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and any solar PV or solar thermal equipment no longer used to provide heat or energy shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class C Class C Class C Class C
Permitted development Permitted development C. The installation, alteration or replacement of stand alone solar within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted C.1 Development is not permitted by Class C if— it would result in the presence within the curtilage of more than one stand alone solar; the area of the stand alone solar would exceed 14 square metres; any part of the stand alone solar would exceed 2 metres in height; any part of the stand alone solar would be nearer to a road which bounds the curtilage than the part of the dwellinghouse nearest to that road; or the stand alone solar would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions C.2 Development is permitted by Class C subject to the following conditions— the primary purpose of the stand alone solar would be to provide heat or energy for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and any stand alone solar no longer used to provide heat or energy shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class D Class D Class D Class D
Permitted development Permitted development D. The erection or provision, within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, of a container for the storage of solid biomass fuel.
Development not permitted Development not permitted D.1 Development is not permitted by Class D if— in the case of the erection or provision of an above ground container— the capacity of that container would exceed 6,500 litres; or any part of that container would be more than 3 metres above ground level; any part of the container would be nearer to a road which bounds the curtilage than the part of the dwellinghouse nearest to that road; it would involve the erection or provision of a below ground container within a site of archaeological interest or an area of special scientific interest; or the container would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions D.2 Development is permitted by Class D subject to the following conditions— the biomass fuel stored would be used to provide heat for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and any container provided under this class, no longer used for the storage of biomass fuel shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class E Class E Class E Class E
Permitted development Permitted development E. The installation, alteration or replacement of a flue, forming part of a biomass heating system, or a combined heat and power system on a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted E.1 Development is not permitted by Class E if— the height of the flue would exceed the highest part of the roof by more than one metre; in the case of a flue installed in a World Heritage Site or a conservation area the flue would be installed on a wall or roof slope forming the principal or a side elevation of the dwellinghouse and would be visible from a road; or the dwellinghouse is within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Condition Condition E.2 Development is permitted by Class E subject to the condition that the flue no longer used as part of a biomass heating system or a combined heat and power system shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class F Class F Class F Class F
Permitted development Permitted development F. The provision of a ground or water source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted F.1 Development is not permitted by Class F if— any part of the heat pump or its housing would be within 3 metres of the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse and would exceed 4 metres in height; any part of the heat pump or its housing would be nearer to a road which bounds the curtilage than the part of the dwellinghouse nearest to that road; it would involve the provision of any heat pump within an area of special scientific interest or a site of archaeological interest; or the heat pump would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions F.2 Development is permitted by Class F subject to the following conditions— the heat pump would be used to provide heat for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and when no longer used to provide heat it shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Class G Class G Class G Class G
Permitted development Permitted development G. The installation, alteration or replacement of an air source heat pump within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse.
Development not permitted Development not permitted G.1 Development is not permitted by Class G if— it would result in the presence within the curtilage of more than one air source heat pump; any part of the air source heat pump would be less than 30 metres from a dwellinghouse (other than the dwellinghouse on which the air source heat pump is being installed, altered or replaced); any part of the air source heat pump would be situated on land forward of a wall which— faces onto a road; and forms either the principal elevation or a side elevation of the original dwellinghouse; in the case of a dwellinghouse within a World Heritage Site or conservation area any part of the air source heat pump faces onto and is visible from a road; the external unit of the air source heat pump would exceed 2 metres in height; the air source heat pump would be installed on a roof; the air source heat pump would be situated within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Conditions Conditions G.2 Development is permitted by Class G subject to the following conditions— the air source heat pump would be used to provide heat for use within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse; and when no longer used to provide heat it shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Interpretation of Part 2 H. H. For the purposes of Part 2— “solar PV” means solar photovoltaics; “stand alone solar” means solar PV or solar thermal equipment which is not installed on a building.

PART 3 — MINOR OPERATIONS

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure.
Development not permitted A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if— the height of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure erected or constructed adjacent to a road used or designed to be used by vehicular traffic exceeds 1 metre above ground level; the height of any other gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed exceeds 2 metres above ground level; the height of any gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure maintained, improved or altered exceeds its former height or the height referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) as the height appropriate to it if erected or constructed, whichever is the greater; it involves development within the curtilage of, or to a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure, surrounding a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted; or it involves development on land determined by the Department for Regional Development as a private street in accordance with Article 3(1) of the Private Streets (Northern Ireland) Order 1980[^f00019].
Class B Class B Class B
Permitted development B. The formation, laying out and construction or alteration of a means of access to a road which is not a special, trunk or classified road, where that access is required in connection with development permitted by any class in this Schedule (other than by Class A of this Part).
Development not permitted B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B if it is within an area of special scientific interest, or a site of archaeological interest.
Class C Class C Class C
Permitted development C. The painting of the exterior of any building or work.
Development not permitted C.1 Development is not permitted by Class C— where the painting is for the purpose of advertisement, announcement or direction; or within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent for the development has previously been granted.
Interpretation of Class C C.2 In Class C “painting” includes any application of colour.

PART 4 — CHANGES OF USE

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. Development consisting of a change of use of a building to a use falling within Class A1 (Shops) or Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a use as a betting office or from a use for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises.
Class B Class B Class B
Permitted development B. Development consisting of a change of the use of a building— to a use falling within Class B2 (Light Industrial) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a use falling within Class B3 (General Industrial); to a use falling within Class B2 (Light Industrial) of that Schedule from a use falling within Class B4 (Storage or distribution); to a use falling within Class B4 (Storage or distribution) of that Schedule from a use falling within Class B2 (Light Industrial) or Class B3 (General Industrial).
Development not permitted B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B where the change is to or from a use falling within Class B4 of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order if the change of use relates to more than 235 square metres of floor space in the building.
Class C Class C Class C
Permitted development C. Development consisting of a change of use of any building with a display window at ground floor level to a use falling within Class A1 (Shops) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a use falling within Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services).
Class D Class D Class D
Permitted development D. Development consisting of a change of use of a building falling within Class C1 (Dwellinghouses) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a use falling within Class C2 (Guest houses) or Class C3 (Residential institutions).
Class E Class E Class E
Permitted development E. Development consisting of a change of use of a building— to a mixed use for any purpose within Class A1 (Shops) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order and as a single flat, from a use for any purpose within Class A1 of that Schedule; to a mixed use for any purpose within Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order and as a single flat, from a use for any purpose within Class A2 of that Schedule; where that building has a display window at ground floor level, to a mixed use for any purpose within Class A1 (Shops) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order and as a single flat, from a use for any purpose within Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services) of that Schedule.
Conditions E.1 Development is permitted by Class E subject to the following conditions— some or all of the parts of the building used for any purposes within Class A1 or Class A2, as the case may be, of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order shall be situated on a floor below the part of the building used as a single flat; where the development consists of a change of use of any building with a display window at ground floor level, the ground floor shall not be used in whole or in part as the single flat; the single flat shall not be used otherwise than as a dwelling (whether or not as a sole or main residence)— by a single person or by people living together as a family; or by not more than six residents living together as a single household (where care is provided for residents).
Interpretation of Class E E.2 For the purposes of Class E the expression “care” means “personal care” as defined in the Registered Homes (Northern Ireland) Order 1992[^f00020].
Class F Class F Class F
Permitted development F. Development consisting of a change of the use of a building— to a use for any purpose within Class A1 (Shops) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a mixed use for any purpose within Class A1 of that Schedule and as a single flat; to a use for any purpose within Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a mixed use for any purpose within Class A2 of that Schedule and as a single flat; where that building has a display window at ground floor level, to a use for any purpose within Class A1 (Shops) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order from a mixed use for any purpose within Class A2 (Financial, professional and other services) of that Schedule and as a single flat.
Development not permitted F.1 Development is not permitted by Class F unless the part of the building used as a single flat was immediately prior to being so used, used for any purpose within Class A1 or Class A2 of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order.

PART 5 — TEMPORARY BUILDINGS AND USES

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The provision on land of buildings, moveable structures, works, plant or machinery required temporarily in connection with and for the duration of operations being or to be carried out on, in, under or over that land or on land adjoining that land.
Development not permitted A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if— the operations referred to are mining operations; planning permission is required for those operations but is not granted; or it is within a site of archaeological interest.
Conditions A.2 Development is permitted by Class A subject to the conditions that, when the operations have been carried out— any building, structure, works, plant or machinery permitted by this Class shall be removed; and any adjoining land on which development permitted by this Class is carried out shall as soon and so far as practicable, be reinstated to its condition before that development was carried out.
Class B Class B Class B
Permitted development B. The use of any land for any purpose for not more than 28 days in total in any calendar year, of which not more than 14 days in total may be for any purpose referred to in paragraph B.2, and the provision on the land of any moveable structure for the purposes of the permitted use.
Development not permitted B.1 Development is not permitted by Class B if— the land in question is a building or is within the curtilage of a building; the use of land is for a caravan site; or the land is within a site of archaeological interest.
Interpretation of Class B B.2 The purposes mentioned in Class B are— the holding of a market; motor car and motorcycle racing, including trials of speed, and practising for these activities.
Class C Class C Class C
Permitted development C. The use of land for street trading not exceeding the period of time specified in a street trading licence.
Interpretation of Class C C.1 For the purposes of Class C— “street trading” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(2) of the Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001[^f00021]; “street trading licence” means a licence granted under the Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001.

PART 6 — CARAVAN SITES

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The use of land, other than a building, as a caravan site in any circumstances referred to in paragraph A.2.
Conditions A.1 The use permitted by Class A shall be discontinued when the circumstances specified in paragraph A.2 cease to exist and all caravans on the site shall then be removed.
Interpretation of Part 6 A.2 The circumstances mentioned in this Part are those specified in paragraphs 2 to 10 of the Schedule to the Caravans Act (Northern Ireland) 1963 , but in relation to those mentioned in paragraph 10 do not include use for winter quarters.

PART 7 — AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS AND OPERATIONS

reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture within that unit.

PART 8 — FORESTRY BUILDINGS AND OPERATIONS

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The carrying out on land used for the purposes of forestry, including afforestation, of development reasonably necessary for those purposes consisting of— works for the erection, extension or alteration of a building; the formation, alteration or maintenance of private ways; operations on that land, or on land held or occupied with that land, to obtain the materials required for the formation, alteration or maintenance of such ways; other operations (not including engineering or mining operations).
Development not permitted A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if— it consists of or includes the provision or alteration of a dwelling; the height of any building or works within 3 kilometres of the perimeter of an airport exceeds 3 metres in height; or any part of the development is within 24 metres of the nearest part of a special road or within 24 metres of the middle of a trunk or a first or second-class road or 9 metres from the middle of other classes of road.
Conditions A.2 Development is permitted in Class A(c) subject to the following conditions— the surface of the land shall be levelled and any topsoil replaced as the uppermost layer; and the land shall, so far as practicable, be restored to its condition before the development took place.

PART 9 — INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The erection, extension or alteration of an industrial building or a warehouse.
Development not permitted A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if— the height of any part of the new building erected would exceed— if within 10 metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the premises, 5 metres; in all other cases, the height of the highest building within the curtilage of the premises or 15 metres, whichever is lower; the height of the building as extended or altered would exceed— if within 10 metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the premises, 5 metres; in all other cases, the height of the building being extended or altered; the floor space of the original building would be exceeded by more than— 10% in respect of development in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a National Park, a World Heritage Site or a conservation area or 25% in any other case; or 500 square metres in respect of development in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a National Park, a World Heritage Site or a conservation area or 1000 square metres in any other case; whichever is the lesser; the floor space of any new building erected would exceed 100 square metres; any part of the development would be within 5 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the premises; any part of the development would be within 10 metres of any boundary of the curtilage of the premises which adjoins the curtilage of any dwellinghouse or flat; any part of the development would face onto a road; as a result of the works the total area of ground covered by buildings within the curtilage of the premises would exceed 50% of the total area of the curtilage; the development would lead to a reduction in the space available for the parking or turning of vehicles; the development is within an area of special scientific interest or a site of archaeological interest; the development would consist of or include the construction or provision of a veranda, balcony or raised platform; or the development would be within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent has previously been granted.
Conditions A.2 Development is permitted in Class A subject to the following conditions— the development must be within the curtilage of an existing industrial building or warehouse; any building as erected, extended or altered shall only be used— in the case of an industrial building, for the carrying out of an industrial process for the purposes of the undertaking, for research and development of products or processes, or the provision of employee facilities ancillary to the undertaking; in the case of a warehouse, for storage or distribution for the purposes of the undertaking or the provision of employee facilities ancillary to the undertaking; no building as erected, extended or altered shall be used to provide employee facilities— between 7.00 p.m. and 6.30 a.m. for employees other than those present at the premises of the undertaking for the purposes of their employment; or at all if a hazardous substance is present in excess of the controlled quantity specified in Part A of Schedule 2 to the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 at the premises of the undertaking; any new building erected shall be constructed using materials which have a similar external appearance to those used for the existing industrial building or warehouse; and any extension or alteration shall be constructed using materials which have a similar external appearance to those used for the building or warehouse being extended or altered.
Interpretation of Class A A.3 For the purposes of Class A— where an industrial building or warehouse is situated in an industrial estate the “boundary of the curtilage of the premises” relates to the boundary of the curtilage of the premises of the undertaking concerned and not the boundary of the curtilage of the industrial estate as a whole; “original building” does not include any building erected at any time under Class A; where two or more original buildings are within the same curtilage and are used for the same undertaking, they are to be treated as a single original building in making any measurement; “employee facilities” means social care or recreational facilities provided for employees of the undertaking, including crèche facilities provided for the children of such employees; “raised platform” means a platform with a height greater than 0.3 metres above ground level.
Class B Class B Class B
Permitted development B. Development carried out on industrial land for the purposes of an industrial process consisting of— the installation of additional or replacement plant or machinery or structures or erections of the nature of plant or machinery; the provision, rearrangement or replacement of a sewer, main, pipe, cable or other apparatus; or the provision, rearrangement or replacement of a private way, private railway, siding or conveyor.
Development not permitted B.1 Development is not permitted in Class B if— it materially affects the external appearance of the premises of the undertaking concerned; or any plant or machinery exceeds a height of 15 metres above ground level or the height of anything replaced, whichever is the greater.
Interpretation of Class B B.2 In Class B “industrial land” means land used for the carrying out of an industrial process, including land used for the purpose of an industrial undertaking as a dock, harbour or quay, but does not include land in or adjacent to and occupied together with a mine.
Class C Class C Class C
Permitted development C. Development consisting of— the provision of a hard surface within the curtilage of an industrial building or warehouse to be used for the purpose of the undertaking concerned; or the replacement in whole or in part of such a surface.
Development not permitted C.1 Development is not permitted in Class C if— it would involve the removal of trees; or the development would be within the curtilage of a listed building unless listed building consent has previously been granted.
Conditions C.2 Development is permitted in Class C subject to the following conditions— where there is a risk of groundwater contamination the hard surface shall not be made of porous materials; in all other cases, either— the hard surface shall be made of porous materials; or provision shall be made to direct run-off water from the hard surface to a permeable or porous area or surface within the curtilage of the industrial building or warehouse.
Interpretation of Part 9 D. In Classes A and C of this Part— “industrial building” means a building used for the carrying out of an industrial process and includes a building used for the carrying out of such a process on land used as a dock, harbour or quay for the purpose of an industrial undertaking but does not include a building on land in or adjacent to and occupied together with a mine; “warehouse” means a building used for any purpose within Class B4 (Storage or Distribution) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order but does not include a building on land in or adjacent to and occupied together with a mine.

PART 10 — REPAIRS TO UNADOPTED STREETS AND PRIVATE WAYS

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The carrying out on land within the boundaries of an unadopted street or private way of works required for the maintenance or improvement of the street or way.

PART 11 — REPAIRS TO SERVICES

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The carrying out of any works for the purposes of inspecting, repairing or renewing any sewer, main, pipe, cable or other apparatus, including breaking open any land for that purpose.

PART 12 — DEVELOPMENT UNDER LOCAL OR PRIVATE ACTS OR ORDERS

which designates specifically the nature of the development authorised and the land upon which it may be carried out.

PART 13 — DEVELOPMENT BY COUNCILS

Class A Class A Class A
Permitted development A. The erection or construction and the maintenance, improvement or other alteration by a council of— any small ancillary building, works or equipment on land belonging to or maintained by it required for the purposes of any function exercised by it on that land; lamp standards, information kiosks, public shelters and seats, electric car charging points, public drinking fountains, refuse bins or baskets, and similar structures or works required in connection with the operation of any public service administered by it.
Interpretation of Part 13 A.1 For the purposes of this Part a reference to any small building, works or equipment is a reference to any building, works or equipment not exceeding 4 metres in height or 200 cubic metres in capacity.

PART 14 — DEVELOPMENT BY STATUTORY AND OTHER UNDERTAKERS

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