Why Most School Expansion Projects Get Delayed (And How to Bypass the Red Tape in 2025)

Still waiting on approval to add classrooms? You’re not alone — and it’s killing your timeline.

Most school projects don’t stall because of cost.
They stall because no one knows what’s actually allowed anymore.
Planning rules have shifted. Budgets are tighter. Pressure’s up.
And your students? Still crammed in outdated spaces. 

Let’s be real: if you’re part of a school trust or council team trying to expand,
you’ve probably hit one of these:

• “We need more classrooms, but we’ve got no CAPEX.”

• “Planning says we’re outside the development zone.”

• “It’ll take 12 weeks just to get a meeting booked.”

• “We can’t touch the playing field. Or car park. Or boundary.”

Sound familiar?

Now here’s what no one told you:
You might not need full planning at all.
You just need to understand temporary structure law and how modular units like Containex bypass the bottlenecks.

Under UK permitted development rights, schools may install temporary modular buildings for education use without going through full planning.

✅ If it’s under a certain size
✅ If it’s for education or welfare
✅ If it’s classed as “temporary” (less than 28 days or under specific thresholds)
You can move fast — legally.

We helped a South West primary double their learning space in 3 weeks flat using 2x 20ft cabins — no red tape, no architect holdups.

The units arrived pre-insulated, DDA compliant, and ready to use.

No portacabins. No headaches. No £200k builds.

Here’s your quick-hit list before you even talk to planning:

🛠️ School Expansion Reality Check:

• How many weeks will you need the units for?

• Are you adding space for education, admin or welfare use?

• Can you position units on hardstanding or existing concrete?

• Is your project under 30m² per unit?

• Will the use be temporary? (Think summer term to Christmas)

If you can say yes to most — you’re likely eligible for fast-track install.
We’ll confirm it, free.

Want us to review your site layout and tell you exactly what you can build without planning headaches?
👉 Planning Permission Help for Modular Buildings | CCP Modular

Or grab our Free 2025 Planning Cheat sheet through the link as well— includes examples that apply, and templates for council comms.

You’re not short on ideas.
You’re short on yeses.

We’ll help you get them — or show you a legal way around.

Dominic CCP