Crown development on Crown-owned land
Before June 2006, the Crown was not subject to the planning system, but since then, the Planning Acts apply to the Crown in much the same way as they do to other developers.
This means the Crown is now generally required to apply to the local planning authority for the following on Crown-owned land:
- Planning permission.
- Consent under a Tree Preservation Order.
- Listed building consent.
- Planning permission for relevant demolition in a conservation area.
- Hazardous substances consent.
Certain provisions and arrangements are in place so that development that is critical can be facilitated, and access to sensitive information (i.e. in the interests of national security and defence) can be restricted. These include:
- Additional permitted development rights: Enabling certain Crown developments without needing to apply for planning permission.
- Non-disclosure arrangements: When details of planning applications cannot be disclosed.
- National security provisions: To avoid disclosure of sensitive information in a public inquiry.
- Special urgency procedure: To fast-track the planning process for urgent Crown development.
The local planning authority may determine that, due to the Crown body withholding certain details from the planning application, it does not have the necessary information to make a decision and may refuse consent or fail to determine the application.
On appeal, the Secretary of State, under section 321 of the principal Act, has the power to restrict the relevant information to certain people at an inquiry. In this way, it is hoped that an informed decision can be reached.
Under rule 6 of the Planning (National Security Directions and Appointed Representatives) (England) Rules 2006, the Secretary of State must publicise any request that is made by a Crown body for a section 321 direction.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Crown estate.
- Forest ownership.
- Listed buildings.
- Permitted development.
- Planning permission.
- Statutory approvals for buildings.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.