Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) except ss. 76, 90(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1492, regs. 2(1)(b), 3-11
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106): power to modify conferred (10.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 171(1)(a); S.I. 1993/2762, art. 3
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 42, s. 24(1) (with ss. 2, 30(1), Sch. 2 para.9)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) extended (1.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 96(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2765, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 20(3), Sch. 5 Pt. III paras. 15(1), 20 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/3198, art. 4, Sch. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 9(1)(2)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 51
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (2.4.2004) by The Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/757), art. 20(1)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (31.10.2005) by The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (Planning Functions) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2721), art. 4
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (25.11.2005) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/3105), art. 21(1) (with arts. 3(5), 15(3))
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) applied (7.6.2006) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), ss. 89, 121, Sch. 4 para. 3(2) (with s. 111); S.I. 2006/1281, art. 2
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (22.11.2006) by The Docklands Light Railway (Stratford International Extension) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/2905), art. 17(1) (with art. 43)
Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (13.12.2006) by The Luton Dunstable Translink Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/3118), art. 18(1)
C2Pt. 3 (ss. 55-106) modified (4.5.2005) by The Telford Railfreight Terminal (Donnington) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1163), art. 25(2) (with art. 30)
Pt. 3 modified (23.8.2007) by The Docklands Light Railway (Capacity Enhancement and 2012 Games Preparation) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2297), art. 17(1) (with arts. 3(6), 12(3))
C3Pt. 3 modified (28.9.2007) by The London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/2657), art. 27(1) (with art. 19, Sch. 3 para. 13(2))
C4Pt. 3 modified (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), s. 10(1)
C5Pt. 3 modified (14.10.2008) by The Felixstowe Branch Line and Ipswich Yard Improvement Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2512), art. 34(1) (with art. 36(3))
C6Pt. 3 modified (20.7.2010) by The Network Rail (Nuneaton North Chord) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1721), art. 28(1)
C7Pt. 3 modified (27.8.2010) by The Llangollen and Corwen Railway Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2136), art. 11(1)
C8Pt. 3 applied (1.2.2011) by The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/41), arts. 1, 47(1) (with art. 51, Sch. 10 paras. 68, 85)
C9Pt. 3 modified (21.4.2011) by The Network Rail (Hitchin (Cambridge Junction)) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1072), arts. 1, 36(2)
C10Pt. 3 applied (5.4.2017) by The Keuper Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/433), arts. 1, 38(2)
C11Pt. 3 modified (11.1.2023) by The Network Rail (Cambridge South Infrastructure Enhancements) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/1406), arts. 1, 35(2) (with art. 34(2), Sch. 12 paras. 5, 47, 79)
(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, for the purposes of this Act development of land shall be taken to be initiated—
(a)if the development consists of the carrying out of operations, at the time when those operations are begun;
(b)if the development consists of a change in use, at the time when the new use is instituted;
(c)if the development consists both of the carrying out of operations and of a change in use, at the earlier of the times mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).
(2)For the purposes of the provisions of this Part mentioned in subsection (3) development shall be taken to be begun on the earliest date on which any material operation comprised in the development begins to be carried out.
(3)The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are sections [F161L(5) and (7),] 85(2), 86(6), 87(4), [F289] 91, 92 [F3, 94 and 108(3E)(c)(i)].
(4)In subsection (2) “material operation” means—
(a)any work of construction in the course of the erection of a building;
F4[(aa)any work of demolition of a building;]
(b)the digging of a trench which is to contain the foundations, or part of the foundations, of a building;
(c)the laying of any underground main or pipe to the foundations, or part of the foundations, of a building or to any such trench as is mentioned in paragraph (b);
(d)any operation in the course of laying out or constructing a road or part of a road;
(e)any change in the use of any land which constitutes material development.
(5)In subsection (4)(e) “material development” means any development other than—
(a)development for which planning permission is granted by a general development order [F5, a local development order or a Mayoral development order] for the time being in force and which is carried out so as to comply with any condition or limitation subject to which planning permission is so granted;
[F6(b)development of a class specified in paragraph 1 or 2 of Schedule 3;] and
(c)development of any class prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.
(6)In subsection (5) “general development order” means a development order (within the meaning of section 59) made as a general order applicable (subject to such exceptions as may be specified in it) to all land in England and Wales.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 56(3) inserted (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2012 for specified purposes, 3.8.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(5)(j), Sch. 12 para. 2(a); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(h) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(a) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4); S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 3(a) (with art. 5) (as amended (6.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/797, art. 4); S.I. 2013/797, arts. 1(2), 2
F2Word in s. 56(3) inserted (25.9.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), ss. 32, 84(2)-(4), Sch. 7 para. 10(1) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3 (subject to art. 4)
F3Words in s. 56(3) substituted (15.11.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2012 for specified purposes, 3.8.2012 for specified purposes, 6.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(5)(j), Sch. 12 para. 2(b); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(h) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 8(a) (with arts. 9, 12, 13, 16, 18-20) (as amended (3.8.2012) by S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 4); S.I. 2012/2029, arts. 2, 3(a) (with art. 5) (as amended (6.4.2013) by S.I. 2013/797, art. 4); S.I. 2013/797, arts. 1(2), 2
F4S. 56(4)(aa) inserted (27.7.1992) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), s. 32, Sch. 7 para. 10(2) (with s. 84(5)); S.I. 1992/1279, art. 2 (with art. 3)
F5Words in s. 56(5)(a) substituted (12.2.2015 for specified purposes, otherwise prosp.) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), s. 57(5)(d), Sch. 4 para. 3
F6S. 56(5)(b) substituted (25.9.1991) by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF 123:1), ss. 31(4), 84(2)-(4), Sch. 6 para. 10; S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3 (subject to art. 4)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C12S. 56 applied (with modifications) (3.11.1995) by S.I. 1995/2863, reg. 3, Sch.