PART 2
MINOR OPERATIONS
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—
(a) the height of any gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed adjacent to a highway used by vehicular traffic would, after the carrying out of the development, exceed one metre above ground level;
Limitation A.1(a)
This limitation is all about highway safety, particularly visibility for, and of, vehicles pulling out of a driveway onto a road.
NOTE: Article 3(6) of the GPDO requires that development generally must not create an "obstruction to the view of persons using any highway used by vehicular traffic, so as to be likely to cause danger to such persons.", but it doesn't actually specify height limits. As always, steeply sloping sites beware---its entirely possible that Article 3(6) could even overide the 1 metre allowed by A.1(a).
(b) the height of any other gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed would exceed two metres above ground level;
Limitation A.1(b)
This Limitation applies to fences etc which are NOT otherwise restricted in height by their position in relation to a highway.
2 metres is the height limit for any NEW gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure, but this does not apply to work on one that's already there. So you can maintain an old, say, 2.4m high brick wall as long as its height is not increased.
CAUTION: there may be covenants or planning conditions which control boundary structure heights to less than 2 metres, even though the GPDO permits them up to 2 metres. Check on your house deeds and with the local council, especially with NEWER PROPERTIES
(c) the height of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure maintained, improved or altered would, as a result of the development, exceed 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; or
Limitation A.1(c) deals with gates, fences, walls or means of enclosure which are ALREADY THERE. The words "whichever is the greater" at the end of limitation A.1(c) enable maintenance, improvement of alteration to be carried out without having to change or remove the entire fence! Limitation A.1(c) is also important for houses with high (greater than 2 metres) boundary enclosures. Again the words "whichever is the greater" ensure that maintenance or repair operations can be carried out and the original height kept.
(d) it would involve development within the curtilage of, or to a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure surrounding, a listed building.
No PART 2 Class A permitted development for Listed Buildings
Class B
Permitted development
B. The formation, laying out and construction of a means of access to a highway which is not a trunk road or a 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).
Class B has no separate limiting sub-paragraphs, but it does within itself impose 'limits' to its application.
So the means of access permitted does not apply to "trunk" or "classified" roads. It's limited to ordinary residential roads and streets. Article 1(2) of the GPDO defines "classified road" and "trunk road" as:
"classified road" means a highway or proposed highway which---
(a) is a classified road or principle road by virtue of section 12(1)
of the Highways Act 1980 (general provision as to principle
and classified roads), or
(b) is classified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of any
enactment by virtue of section 12(3) of that Act"
"trunk road" means a highway or proposed highway which is a trunk
road by virtue of section 10(1) or 19 of the Highways Act 1980
(general provisions as to trunk roads, and certain special roads
and other highways to become trunk roads) or any other
enactment or any instrument made under any enactment;
Class C
Permitted development
C. The painting of the exterior of any building or work.
Class C makes it clear that ordinary painting of the outside of your house is permitted development. And since "painting" includes any application of colour, thick paints and coatings such as those used for waterproofing or stabilising poor surfaces would be included
Development not permitted
C.1 Development is not permitted by Class C where the painting is for the purpose of advertisement, announcement or direction.
Limitation C.1 precludes the use of 'paint' for any sort of message.
Interpretation of Class C
C.2 In Class C, "painting" includes any application of colour.
