On 3rd September the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government laid a Special Development Order (SDO) that grants temporary planning permission for the development of inland border facilities and associated infrastructure. The Order applies to specified administrative areas in England either close to the ports or with access to the strategic road network serving those ports with relevant EU trade. The Order comes into force on 24th September 2020.

The temporary inland border facilities are an important component of the Government’s preparations for an orderly transition to the new system of controls ahead of decisions being taken on the longer-term strategy for the border.

The development can only be carried out by, or on behalf of, a border department named in the Order and the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government’s approval must be sought and given before the development of a site can start.

The development must end by 31st December 2025, and all reinstatement works must have been completed by 31st December 2026.