Change of use
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Welcome to Planning World, we are the “One Stop Shop” for every type of Change of Use Planning Permission Application, Permitted Development, Lawful Development Certificates, Building Regulations Approvals, Retrospective Planning and Much More.
No matter where you are in the design or planning stage, we can help you achieve your goals.
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Change of Use.
Use Classes
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as 'Use Classes' which are detailed below.
'Change of use' can occur within the same Use Class or from one Use Class to another.
Depending on the specifics of any proposed change of use, including any building work associated with the proposal, it may require an application for planning permission or prior approval.
The current Use Classes were last updated on 1 September 2020.
Generally for any applications, the Use Classes in effect when the application was submitted will be used to determine it.
Class B
Class B
B2 General industrial - Use for industrial process other than one falling within class E(g) (previously class B1) (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste)
B8 Storage or distribution - This class includes open air storage.
Class C
Class C
C1 Hotels - Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels)
C2 Residential institutions - Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres
C2A Secure Residential Institution - Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks
Class C
C3 Dwellinghouses - This class is formed of three parts
C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child
C3(b) covers up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems
C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household. This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger
C4 Houses in multiple occupation - Small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Class E
Class E - Commercial, Business and Service
In 11 parts, Class E more broadly covers uses previously defined in the revoked Classes A1/2/3, B1, D1(a-b) and ‘indoor sport’ from D2(e):
E(a) Display or retail sale of goods, other than hot food
E(b) Sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises
E(c) Provision of:
E(c)(i) Financial services,
E(c)(ii) Professional services (other than health or medical services), or
E(c)(iii) Other appropriate services in a commercial, business or service locality
E(d) Indoor sport, recreation or fitness (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms or use as a swimming pool or skating rink,)
E(e) Provision of medical or health services (except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner)
E(f) Creche, day nursery or day centre (not including a residential use)
E(g) Uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity:
E(g)(i) Offices to carry out any operational or administrative functions,
E(g)(ii) Research and development of products or processes
E(g)(iii) Industrial processes
Class F
In two main parts, Class F covers uses previously defined in the revoked classes D1, ‘outdoor sport’, ‘swimming pools’ and ‘skating rinks’ from D2(e), as well as newly defined local community uses.
F1 Learning and non-residential institutions – Use (not including residential use) defined in 7 parts:
F1(a) Provision of education
F1(b) Display of works of art (otherwise than for sale or hire)
F1(c) Museums
F1(d) Public libraries or public reading rooms
F1(e) Public halls or exhibition halls
F1(f) Public worship or religious instruction (or in connection with such use)
F1(g) Law courts
F2 Local community – Use as defined in 4 parts:
F2(a) Shops (mostly) selling essential goods, including food, where the shop’s premises do not exceed 280 square metres and there is no other such facility within 1000 metres
F2(b) Halls or meeting places for the principal use of the local community
F2(c) Areas or places for outdoor sport or recreation (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms)
F2(d) Indoor or outdoor swimming pools or skating rinks
Sui Generis
'Sui generis' is a Latin term that, in this context, means ‘in a class of its own’.
Certain uses are specifically defined and excluded from classification by legislation, and therefore become ‘sui generis’. These are: Theatres
amusement arcades/centres or funfairs
launderettes
Sui Generis
taxi businesses
fuel stations
hiring, selling and/or displaying motor vehicles
scrap yards, or a yard for the storage/distribution of minerals and/or the breaking of motor vehicles
‘Alkali work’ (any work registerable under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act 1906 (as amended))
hostels (providing no significant element of care)
waste disposal installations for the incineration, chemical treatment or landfill of hazardous waste
retail warehouse clubs
nightclubs
casinos
betting offices/shops
pay day loan shops
public houses, wine bars, or drinking establishments – from 1 September 2020, previously Class A4
drinking establishments with expanded food provision – from 1 September 2020, previously Class A4
hot food takeaways (for the sale of hot food where consumption of that food is mostly undertaken off the premises) – from 1 September 2020, previously Class A5
venues for live music performance – newly defined as ‘Sui Generis’ use from 1 September 2020
cinemas – from 1 September 2020, previously Class D2(a)
concert halls – from 1 September 2020, previously Class D2(b)
bingo halls – from 1 September 2020, previously Class D2(c)
dance halls – from 1 September 2020, previously Class D2(d)
Certain changes of use may be covered under permitted development, contact us today for advice.
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We create changes of use beauty by innovation.
We cover it all, from HMO conversion, Flat conversion to commercial changes of use and can provide, all the services you may need along the way, from 3D laser surveys, Structural Engineers, Interior Design, SAP ratings, Flood Risk Assessments and Builders, Together with Expert Advice and Support.
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Frequently asked questions
What is permitted development?
Permitted development, does not require an application for planning permission, provided all conditions are met. The rules apply to houses, not flats, maisonettes, or other buildings.
Permitted development rights may have been removed by Article 4 or Article 3 directions. Other consents may be required if your house is listed or in a designated area or has other constraints.
Permitted development Vs Planning?
Permitted development although suitable for many standard extensions & conversions, the materials used, need to be of similar appearance to the host dwelling. Deviation from the GDPO guidelines will require a full householder planning application.
Planning permission is based on planning policy and planning law. One of the main considerations when applying for planning is the 45-degree rule.
We have extensive experience in Local and Government planning policies & planning law and would always recommend applying for a certificate of lawfulness or planning approval, to ensure that your project is legal in planning terms.
Do I need a Certificate of Lawfulness?
YES, YES, YES! This is the only answer, we deal with retrospective planning applications and planning enforcement on a daily basis. Don’t leave it to chance!
Don’t be swayed by anyone, who wants to start the build straight away, without putting in the paperwork first. A certificate of lawfulness is NOT the same as a completion certificate from building control. Planning regulations and building regulations are separate permissions, which you should always apply for, they are not the same and you will need both.
A certificate of lawfulness will give you the legal planning status for your project. Without this certificate, your project will not be deemed legal, in planning terms. You may also require this paperwork in the future, for a valuation, remortgage, or to sell your property.
Why choose an architectural firm?
There are more and more options for you as the client, out there. However, we would always advise our clients, to go with an independent architectural firm. There are a few reasons for this; 1. We specialise in architectural drawings, planning policy, and planning law and know what the planners will and won’t accept. 2. When you instruct an architectural firm, you are free to obtain independent quotes for the building works, which can and do vary considerably. We can help you obtain independent builders quotes if this is something you are interested in, however, you are never tied to one builder 3. If you are promised free drawings, it may sound good at the beginning, but the cost of the drawings is rolled into the price, so ultimately you will have paid for the drawings but you are not free to shop around. 4. Assurance that the drawings and paperwork have been completed accurately, in advance of works carried out on-site, and not at your own risk. 5. Timescales, we can prepare your drawings within 2 weeks and deposit both planning regulations & building regulations drawings at the same time, so that you are ready to start within weeks, not months.
Can I build it now or should I wait?
We get asked this question all the time. The sensible answer is; to always get your paperwork in place first. This process doesn’t need to be lengthy, we pride ourselves in our approach of “planning made easy” because it can be done with the right architectural firm.
We offer transparent, straight-talking, absolutely no-nonsense planning advice, Let’s face it when you are a Nationwide company, you have seen it all. Don’t leave it to chance, or be swayed by anyone with a financial interest.
Ask the experts for straight-talking advice, who have seen the wrongdoings and enforcements.
How are your prices so competative?
Our prices are so competitive because our systems are so slick. Our 3D laser scan survey is so accurate, that our surveyors only need to visit the site once, for 1 hour, on average. The data is then sent to our head office, where we access your survey data from our server.
We draw in Revit 3D Architecture (BIM modeling) not flat 2D CAD. We produce your existing drawings within 7 days. We will then arrange a telephone design consultation with you to discuss your proposed project in detail and will produce your initial proposed drafts for you to make any amendments to.
Once you are 100% happy with your designs, we produce your final drawings ready for submission, which include all the required drawings you need.
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