Change of Use
“How Do I Change
the Use of My Property?”
The first step will be identifying your property’s current use class and deciding on the proposed use class. Because it will effect whether you may require planning permission or not.
But there are also some exemptions such as the changes of use between the same use classes and the changes of use which complies with permitted development rights. Please keep continuing reading for further information on the changes of use.
“What Is a Change of Use?”
If you want to change your property’s current use, such as residential to commercial or retail to hot food takeaway, that means you are making a “change of use”.
There are use classes in the UK for buildings. These use classes help you and your local planning authority to decide on these types of changes in properties. You may require planning permission to change of use in most cases but there are also some exemptions, such as permitted development rights which we will look at further on this page below. Let’s begin with the current use classes.
“What are the current
use classes?”
On September 2020, the use classes were modified. You can find the current use classes and their examples below ↓
CURRENT USE CLASSES
Use Class E
E – Commercial, Business and Service
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Example: Restaurants, offices, shops.
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E (a) Display or retail sale of goods, other than hot food
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E (b) Sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises
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E (c)(i) Financial services,
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E (c)(ii) Professional services (other than health or medical services), or
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E (c)(iii) Other appropriate services in a commercial, business or service locality
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E (d) Indoor sport, recreation or fitness (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms)
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E (e) Provision of medical or health services (except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner)
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E (f) Creche, day nursery or day centre (not including a residential use)
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E (g)(i) Uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity:
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Offices to carry out any operational /administrative
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E (g)(ii) Research and development of products / processes
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E (g)(iii) Industrial processes
USE CLASS B
B2 – General Industrial
Example: Car repair workshops.
B8 – Storage and Distribution
Example: Warehouses.
Use Class C
C1 – Hotels / Motels
C2 – Residential Institutions
(Example: Hospitals)
C2A – Secure Residential Institutions (Example: Prisons)
C3 – Dwellinghouses (Example: Flats)
C4 – HMO (Small shared houses)
Use ClASS F
F – Local Community and Learning
F1 – Learning and Non-Residential Institutions
Example: Museums, libraries.
F2 – Local Community
Example: Community halls.
SUI GENERIS
Sui Generis
Specific uses which are excluded
from classification
Example: Hot food takeaway,
betting office,
payday loan shop
Do I need planning permission for a change of use?
Yes and no. Because this answer will depend on your property’s existing and proposed uses. A change of use can be accomplished through a full planning application or by permitted development rights as outlined in The Town and Country Planning Order. Please contact us for your property’s development details.
DISCLAIMER: There are numerous caveats and restrictions. Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations.A comprehensive review would be required for certainty. The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
Please contact us for further information and a more detailed assessment. If you are in any doubt, you should contact your Local Authority before undertaking any work. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and detailed, Se & Se Consultancy Ltd. makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy with respect to information of any kind without a detailed assessment and/or Local Authority confirmation.
Se & Se Consultancy Ltd. 2025 |
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