England Use Classes Order • Sui Generis

    Use SG-DATA-CENTRE: Data Centre (classification to verify)

    Data-centre use classification depends on the facts, including the primary activity and any ancillary uses. Confirm the class with the planning authority rather than assuming every data centre is sui generis.

    Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.

    Jurisdiction and source

    This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different use-class and permitted-development rules. A use class is not permission for building works or proof that a change is lawful at a particular site.

    Use Classes Order — current legislation

    GOV.UK — use classes and when permission is required

    England GPDO — Part 3 changes of use

    Examples

    • Hyperscale data centres
    • Colocation facilities
    • Edge data centres

    Potential change-of-use routes

    No permitted changes are listed in this summary. Check the current rules for the jurisdiction and site before deciding whether permission is required.

    Permission and prior-approval checks

    None

    Design notes

    Investigate electricity capacity, water demand, cooling, noise and heat-reuse requirements with the relevant providers and planning authority. Do not infer connection availability from a regional headline.

    Questions

    What is Use Class SG-DATA-CENTRE?

    Data-centre use classification depends on the facts, including the primary activity and any ancillary uses. Confirm the class with the planning authority rather than assuming every data centre is sui generis.

    Can I change use without planning permission from Class SG-DATA-CENTRE?

    No changes are listed in this summary. Check the current rules and site-specific restrictions with the planning authority.

    Check use class against your site

    Explore available planning constraints for the address, then verify the applicable use class and any restrictions with the planning authority.

    Explore planning constraints

    Review current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.

    Related

    Use E: Class E (Commercial, Business and Service)

    Commercial

    Use F.1: Class F.1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institutions)

    Community

    Use F.2: Class F.2 (Local Community)

    Community

    Use C1: Class C1 (Hotels)

    Residential

    Use C2: Class C2 (Residential Institutions)

    Residential

    Use C2A: Class C2A (Secure Residential Institutions)

    Residential