The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Coronavirus) (England) (Amendment) Order 2020 have come into force from 10am today (Thursday 9 April 2020). 

Mirroring the already-existing PD right available to the Government, they enable to local authorities and health service bodies to: undertake development for the purposes of preventing an emergency; reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency; or taking other action in connection with an emergency. 

Any development undertaken pursuant to these new PD rights is subject to a number of conditions, including in relation to the positioning of any temporary building in relation to a site's boundary. Furthermore, the use of land for purposes enabled by this PD right must cease on or before 31 December 2020. 

Please note that this does not override other legislation, such as in relation listed buildings or protected trees. If you would like any further advice on this please let me know.