Class A – gates, fences, walls etc

What is allowed

The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure.

Where can I use it

On any land in England

What is not allowed

You cannot use it where:

• 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— for a school, 2 metres above ground level, provided that any part of the gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure which is more than 1 metre above ground level does not create an obstruction to the view of persons using the highway as to be likely to cause danger to such persons;
• in any other case, 1 metre above ground level;
• the height of any other gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed would exceed 2 metres above ground level;
• 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 paragraph (a) or (b) as the height appropriate to it if erected or constructed, whichever is the greater; or
• it would involve development within the curtilage of, or to a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure surrounding, a listed building.

How do I use the allowance

This is a normal allowance – no application is needed but a Certificate of Lawfulness may be sought if you want to use it.

Our Notes

Class A is a very open permitted development allowance that even apply’s to Conservation Areas. If your site is within a Conservation Area please check with your LPA to see if there is an Article 4 direction.