Use Classes Order 1972: Class I
Permitted Development: No permitted changes
Description: Shops, Retail Warehouses, Hairdressers, Undertakers, Travel & Ticket Agencies, Post Offices, Dry Cleaners, Internet Cafes, Pet Shops, Cat-meat Shops, Tripe Shops, Sandwich Bars, Showrooms, Domestic Hire and Funeral Directors.
Notes: The General Permitted Development Order 1995 provides for permitted change of use of a building from Class A1 or Class A2 to a mixed use for the purposes of either Class A1 or Class A2 and as a single flat, and from such a mixed use to Class A1 or Class A2 use provided the Class A1 or Class A2 use is situated on a floor below the single flat and various other conditions are met.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II
Permitted Development: Permitted change to A1 where a ground floor display window exists
Description: Banks, Building Societies, Estate & Employment Agencies, Professional & Financial Services, Betting Offices.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II
Permitted Development: Permitted change to A1 or A2
Description: Restaurants, Snack Bars, Cafes
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II
Permitted Development: Permitted change to A1, A2 or A3
Description: Pubs or Bars
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II
Permitted Development: Permitted change to A1, A2 or A3
Description: Hot food takeaways
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II
Permitted Development: No permitted changes
Description: Shops selling and/or Displaying Motor Vehicles, Retail Warehouse Clubs, Launderettes, Taxi or Vehicle Hire Businesses, Amusement Centres, Petrol Filling Stations.
Notes: Sui Generis is a term, which refers to a use on its own. Any planning use not falling within a specific class within the Use Classes Order falls within this category.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II (a)
Permitted Development: Permitted change to B8 where no more than 235m²
Description: Offices, not within A2.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class II (b)
Permitted Development: Permitted change to B8 where no more than 235m²
Description: Research and Development, Studios, Laboratories, High Technology.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class III
Permitted Development: Permitted change to B8 where no more than 235m²
Description: Light Industry.
Notes: A B1 use must be capable of being undertaken “in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit”.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class IV-IX
Permitted Development: Permitted change to B1 or B8. B8 limited to no more than 235m²
Description: General Industry.
Notes: The Use Classes (Amendment) Order 1995 amends the 1987 Order by omitting Classes B4 – B7 (special industrial groups B – E). Industrial processes previously within these classes now fall within Class B2 (general industrial).
Use Classes Order 1972: Class X
Permitted Development: Permitted change to B1 or B8. B8 limited to no more than 235m²
Description: Wholesale Warehouses, Distribution Centres, Repositories.
Notes: The Use Classes (Amendment) Order 1995 amends the 1987 Order by omitting Classes B4 – B7 (special industrial groups B – E). Industrial processes previously within these classes now fall within Class B2 (general industrial).
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Any works registerable under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act 1906.
Notes: Sui Generis is a term, which refers to a use on its own. Any planning use not falling within a specific class within the Use Classes Order falls within this category.
Use Classes Order 1972: XI
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Hotels, Boarding and Guest Houses.
Notes: A C1 use is defined as a hotel or a boarding or guesthouse where, in each case, no significant element of care is provided.
Use Classes Order 1972: XIV
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Residential Schools and CollegesHospitals and Convalescent / Nursing homes.
Use Classes Order 1972: XII
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Hospitals and Convalescent / Nursing homes.
Use Classes Order 1972: XI
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Dwellings, small businesses at home, communal housing of elderly and handicapped people.
Notes: Six or less residents unless living together as a family.
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Hostel.
Notes: Sui Generis is a term, which refers to a use on its own. Any planning use not falling within a specific class within the Use Classes Order falls within this category.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class XIII
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Places of Worship, Church Halls.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class XV
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Clinics, Health Centres, Crèches, Day Nurseries, Consulting Rooms.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class XVI
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Museums, Public Halls, Libraries, Art Galleries, Exhibition Halls. Non – residential Education and Training Centres.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class XVII
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Cinemas, Music and Concert Halls.
Use Classes Order 1972: Class XVIII
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Dance, Sports Halls, Swimming Baths, Skating Rinks, Gymnasiums. Other Indoor and Outdoor Sports and Leisure Uses, Bingo Halls, Casinos.
Permitted Development: No Permitted Change
Description: Theatres, Night-Clubs.
Notes: Sui Generis is a term, which refers to a use on its own. Any planning use not falling within a specific class within the Use Classes Order falls within this category.
Further Considerations
1. It should be noted that permitted changes of use identified above are ratchet changes. That is, changes cannot be made in reverse.
2. Various other permitted development rights exist for, inter alia, industrial and warehouse buildings, dwelling houses, agricultural buildings, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and development by statutory undertakers.
3. The above is intended as a general guide only. Reference must be made in the final instance to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended the Use Classes (Amendment) Order 2005, and General Permitted Development (Amendment) Order 2005 and written confirmation obtained from the Local Planning Authority that no consent is required.