All you should know about Change of use planning
What is change of use planning?
A change of use land or building requires planning permission if it constitutes a material change of use.
What is a material change of use in planning?
A material change of use is when there is a change in the purpose or the circumstances in which you use a building. So, that it or any part of it is used as a dwelling where it wasn’t before.
When does a change of use require planning permission?
Typically, if it’s proposed to change from one use class to another, you will need planning permission. Most external building work associated with a change of use is also likely to need planning permission. However, if both present and proposed uses fall within the same ‘class’ you will often not need planning permission.
What are use classes?
The town and country planning order 1987 sets out various categories of use referred to as use classes. Which relate to the use of land and buildings.
| Use | The use class up to 31st August 2020 | Use class from 1st September 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| General industrial | B2 | B2 |
| Storge or distribution | B8 | B8 |
| Hotels, boarding, and guest houses | C1 | C1 |
| Residential institutions | C2 | C2 |
| Dwelling houses | C3 | C3 |
| House in multiple occupation (HMO) | C4 | C4 |
| Non-residential: health centres, clinics, nurseries, day centres | D1 | E |
| Gymnasiums, indoor recreations | D2 | E |
| Shops other than F2 | A1 | E |
| Financial and professional services | A2 | E |
| Cafe or restaurant | A3 | E |
| Non-residential: schools, educations centers, museums, libraries, public halls, law courts, places of worship | D1 | F1 |
| Shops selling mostly essential goods, with no other facility within 1,000m | A1 | F2 |
| Hall or meeting place for the use of the local community | D2 | F2 |
| Indoor or outdoor swimming pools, skating rinks, and outdoor sports | D2 | F2 |
| Cinemas, concert halls, and dance halls | D2 | Sui Generis |
| Pub, wine bar, or drinking establishment | A4 | Sui Generis |
| Hot food takeaway | A5 | Sui Generis |
| Theatres, large HMO, hostels, petrol stations, shops selling motor vehicles, retail warehouse, nightclubs, taxis, arcades, casinos, funfairs, betting offices, payday loan shops | Sui Generis | Sui Generis |
How long is change of use planning?
Planning applications may take up to eight weeks to be processed. Larger or more complex projects may take longer for the planning to be accepted. If you speak with your local planning officer, they may be able to advise you on when you may get a decision.
