Which planning instrument provides automatic permission for certain operations under the General Permitted Development Order 2015?

• A. Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• B. Neighbourhood Planning Order 2011
• C. General Permitted Development Order 2015
• D. Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

Answer: (C)

Automatic permission is provided by the General Permitted Development Order 2015 because it creates permitted development rights. These rights set out specific categories of development that can go ahead without a full planning application, as long as the work stays within the defined classes and meets the stated limitations and any required conditions or prior approvals. The GPDO 2015 is the instrument that defines what counts as permitted development and when it applies, making certain operations automatically permissible under planning law. The other options are broader statutory frameworks or distinct mechanisms and do not themselves grant the automatic permissions specified by the GPDO.