Section 59A: Development orders: permission in principle, Town and Country Planning Act 1990

A development order may either—

itself grant permission in principle, in relation to land in England that is allocated for development in a qualifying document (whether or not in existence when the order is made) for development of a prescribed description; or

provide for the granting by a local planning authority in England, on application to the authority in accordance with the provisions of the order, of permission in principle for development of a prescribed description.

In this section—

"prescribed" means prescribed in a development order;
"qualifying document" means a document, as it has effect from time to time, which—
(a)falls within subsection (3),
(b)indicates that the land in question is allocated for development for the purposes of this section, and
(c)contains prescribed particulars in relation to the land allocated and the kind of development for which it is allocated.

The following documents fall within this subsection—

a register maintained in pursuance of regulations under section 14A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 ("the 2004 Act");

a development plan document within the meaning of Part 2 of the 2004 Act (see section 37 of that Act);

a neighbourhood development plan within the meaning given by section 38A of the 2004 Act.

For the purposes of subsection (4)(a)—

a register maintained in pursuance of regulations under section 14A of the 2004 Act takes effect when it is first published;

a development plan document takes effect when it is adopted or approved under Part 2 of the 2004 Act;

a neighbourhood development plan takes effect when it is made by the local planning authority.

Permission in principle granted by a development order is not brought to an end by the qualifying document ceasing to have effect or being revised.

Permission in principle granted by a development order ceases to have effect on the expiration of—

five years beginning with the date on which it takes effect; or

such other period (whether longer or shorter) beginning with that date as the local planning authority may direct.

Permission in principle granted by a local planning authority ceases to have effect on the expiration of—

three years beginning with the date on which it takes effect; or

such other period (whether longer or shorter) beginning with that date as the local planning authority may direct.

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (7)(a) or (8)(a) by substituting a shorter period for the period for the time being specified there.

A development order—

may make provision in relation to an application for planning permission for development of land in respect of which permission in principle has been granted;

may require the local planning authority to prepare, maintain and publish a register containing prescribed information as to permissions in principle granted by a development order.

In exercising a power of direction conferred by virtue of subsection (4), or conferred by subsection (7)(b) or (8)(b), a local planning authority must have regard to the provisions of the development plan and any other material considerations.

In exercising any other function exercisable by virtue of this section, or in exercising any function in relation to an application for planning permission for development of land in respect of which permission in principle has been granted, a local planning authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

In relation to an application for permission in principle which under any provision of this Part , or under section 293D, is made to, or determined by, the Secretary of State instead of the local planning authority, a reference in subsection (1) or (8) to a local planning authority has effect (as necessary) as a reference to the Secretary of State.

Section 59A: Development orders: permission in principle

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