A Guide to the Use Classes Order and Permitted Changes of Use
A Guide to the Use Classes Order and Permitted Changes of Use
A Guide to the Use Classes Order and Permitted Changes of Use
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A <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Use</strong> <strong>Classes</strong> <strong>Order</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Permitted</strong> <strong>Changes</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Use</strong><br />
Most uses <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> buildings fall within a ‘use class’ or category for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>to</strong>wn<br />
planning legislation. The Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (<strong>Use</strong> <strong>Classes</strong>) <strong>Order</strong> 1987 (as amended)<br />
puts uses <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> buildings in<strong>to</strong> various categories defining <strong>the</strong> types <strong>of</strong> use within each<br />
class.<br />
Planning permission is not needed for changes in use <strong>of</strong> buildings within each class <strong>and</strong> certain<br />
changes <strong>of</strong> use between some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> classes can be carried out as ‘permitted development’.<br />
This means that you will not need <strong>to</strong> submit a planning application in certain cases. For<br />
example, a greengrocer’s shop could be changed <strong>to</strong> a shoe shop without permission as <strong>the</strong>se<br />
uses fall within <strong>the</strong> same ‘class’, <strong>and</strong> a restaurant could be changed <strong>to</strong> a shop or a estate agency<br />
as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Use</strong> Class <strong>Order</strong> allows this type <strong>of</strong> change <strong>to</strong> occur without requiring planning<br />
permission.<br />
However, many changes <strong>of</strong> use do require planning permission. The regulations are complex<br />
<strong>and</strong> you should seek advice before carrying out any works. Most external building work<br />
associated with a change <strong>of</strong> use is likely <strong>to</strong> require planning permission.<br />
The following table has been complied <strong>to</strong> help you <strong>to</strong> decide whe<strong>the</strong>r you need planning<br />
permission. Please note that <strong>the</strong> table is a summary <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> use classes <strong>and</strong> you should seek<br />
specific advice before carrying out any works.<br />
The following classes <strong>of</strong> use are set out in <strong>the</strong> Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (<strong>Use</strong> <strong>Classes</strong>) <strong>Order</strong><br />
1987 <strong>and</strong> its subsequent amendments.<br />
<strong>Classes</strong> <strong>Order</strong> <strong>Use</strong> / Description <strong>of</strong><br />
Development<br />
A1:<br />
Shops, Post Offices, Travel<br />
Shops<br />
Agencies & Ticket Agencies,<br />
Hairdressers, Funeral<br />
Direc<strong>to</strong>rs & Undertakers,<br />
Domestic Hire Shops, Dry<br />
Cleaners, Internet Cafés,<br />
S<strong>and</strong>wich Bars (where<br />
s<strong>and</strong>wiches or o<strong>the</strong>r cold food<br />
are <strong>to</strong> be consumed <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong><br />
premises).<br />
A2:<br />
Financial Services, Banks,<br />
Financial &<br />
Building Societies & Bureau de<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Change. Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Services<br />
Services<br />
(o<strong>the</strong>r than Health or Medical<br />
Services), Estate Agents &<br />
Employment Agencies. O<strong>the</strong>r<br />
services which it is<br />
appropriate <strong>to</strong> provide in a<br />
shopping area, Betting Shop<br />
<strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
A1 (where <strong>the</strong>re is a ground<br />
floor display window)
A3:<br />
Restaurants & Cafés<br />
A4:<br />
Drinking<br />
Establishments<br />
A5:<br />
Hot Food Take‐away<br />
B1:<br />
Business<br />
B2:<br />
General Industrial<br />
B8:<br />
S<strong>to</strong>rage & Distribution<br />
C1:<br />
Hotels<br />
C2:<br />
Residential Institutions<br />
C2A:<br />
Secure Residential<br />
Institution<br />
(where <strong>the</strong> services are<br />
provided principally <strong>to</strong> visiting<br />
members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public).<br />
Restaurants & Cafés (i.e.<br />
places where <strong>the</strong> primary<br />
purpose is <strong>the</strong> sale <strong>and</strong><br />
consumption <strong>of</strong> food <strong>and</strong> light<br />
refreshment on <strong>the</strong> premises).<br />
This excludes Internet Cafés<br />
which are now A1.<br />
Public House, Wine Bar or<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r Drinking Establishments<br />
(i.e. premises where <strong>the</strong><br />
primary purpose is <strong>the</strong> sale<br />
<strong>and</strong> consumption <strong>of</strong> alcoholic<br />
drinks on <strong>the</strong> premises).<br />
Takeaways (i.e. premises<br />
where <strong>the</strong> primary purpose is<br />
<strong>the</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> hot food <strong>to</strong><br />
takeaway).<br />
a) Offices, o<strong>the</strong>r than a use<br />
within Class A2 (Financial<br />
Services)<br />
b) Research <strong>and</strong> development<br />
<strong>of</strong> products or processes<br />
c) Light industry.<br />
General Industry: use for <strong>the</strong><br />
carrying out <strong>of</strong> an industrial<br />
process o<strong>the</strong>r than one falling<br />
in Class B1.<br />
<strong>Use</strong> for s<strong>to</strong>rage or distribution<br />
centre.<br />
<strong>Use</strong> as a Hotel, Boarding<br />
House or Guesthouse, where<br />
no significant element <strong>of</strong> care<br />
is provided.<br />
Hospital, Nursing Home or<br />
Residential School, College or<br />
Training Centre where <strong>the</strong>y<br />
provide residential<br />
accommodation <strong>and</strong> care <strong>to</strong><br />
people in need <strong>of</strong> care (o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
than those within C3 Dwelling<br />
Houses).<br />
<strong>Use</strong> for a provision <strong>of</strong> secure<br />
residential accommodation,<br />
including use as a prison,<br />
A1 or A2<br />
A1, A2 or A3<br />
A1, A2 or A3<br />
B8 (where no more than<br />
235 square metres)<br />
B1 or B8 (B8 limited <strong>to</strong><br />
235 square metres)<br />
B1 (where no more than<br />
235 square metres)<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change
C3:<br />
Dwelling Houses<br />
D1:<br />
Non‐Residential Institutions<br />
D2:<br />
Assembly & Leisure<br />
Sui – Generis*<br />
*A use on its own that<br />
does not fall in<strong>to</strong> any<br />
class, permission is<br />
required for any change <strong>of</strong><br />
use<br />
young <strong>of</strong>fenders institution,<br />
detention centre, secure<br />
training centre, cus<strong>to</strong>dy<br />
centre, short term holding<br />
centre, secure hospital, secure<br />
local authority<br />
accommodation or use as a<br />
military barracks.<br />
<strong>Use</strong> as a Dwelling House<br />
(whe<strong>the</strong>r or not as a sole or a<br />
main residence),a) by a single<br />
person or people living<br />
<strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r as a<br />
family, or<br />
b) by not more than six<br />
residents living <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r as a<br />
single household (including a<br />
household where<br />
care is provided for residents).<br />
Clinics & Health Centres,<br />
Crèches, Day Nurseries & Day<br />
Centres, Museums, Public<br />
Libraries, Art Galleries &<br />
Exhibition Halls, Law Court,<br />
Non‐Residential Education &<br />
Training Centres. Places <strong>of</strong><br />
Worship, Religious Instruction<br />
& Church Halls.<br />
Cinema, Concert Hall, Bingo<br />
Hall, Dance Hall, Swimming<br />
Bath, Skating Rink,<br />
Gymnasium, or area for<br />
indoor or outdoor sports or<br />
recreations, not involving<br />
mo<strong>to</strong>r vehicles or firearms.<br />
A use on its own, for which<br />
any change <strong>of</strong> use will require<br />
planning permission. Includes,<br />
Theatres, Nightclubs, Retail<br />
Warehouse Clubs,<br />
Amusement Arcades,<br />
Launderettes, Petrol Filling<br />
Stations <strong>and</strong> Mo<strong>to</strong>r Car<br />
Showrooms.<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change<br />
No <strong>Permitted</strong> Change
Fur<strong>the</strong>r guidance<br />
The Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (<strong>Use</strong> <strong>Classes</strong>) <strong>Order</strong> 1987 use classes schedule<br />
The Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (<strong>Use</strong> <strong>Classes</strong>) (Amendment) (Engl<strong>and</strong>) <strong>Order</strong> 2006<br />
Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (General <strong>Permitted</strong> Development) <strong>Order</strong> 1995<br />
Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (General <strong>Permitted</strong> Development) (Amendment) <strong>Order</strong> 1998<br />
The Town <strong>and</strong> Country Planning (General <strong>Permitted</strong> Development) (Amendment) (Engl<strong>and</strong>)<br />
<strong>Order</strong> 2005<br />
Any questions?<br />
Please contact <strong>the</strong> Planning Enquiries Team if you have any queries about <strong>the</strong> information<br />
provided in this document or have any fur<strong>the</strong>r questions.<br />
Planning Enquiries Team<br />
01908 252358<br />
planning.enquiries@mil<strong>to</strong>n-keynes.gov.uk<br />
Updated April 2008