Guide to the Use Classes Order in England All buildings fall under a Use Class as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). This guide provides an overview of the current Use Classes Order and the permitted development rights available to change between uses as set out within the Town and County Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). Reference must be made to the limitations, restrictions and conditions contained within the legislation before proceeding with any change of use. It will be necessary to check whether permitted development rights have been withdrawn for your property or area before commencing any change of use.
USE CLASS
PERMITTED CHANGES
B2 | General Industrial
Industrial processes (other than those that can be carried out in a residential area without harming amenity). Excludes incineration, chemical treatment, landfill and hazardous waste.
B8 | Storage and Distribution
Use for storage or as a distribution centre (includes open air storage).
C1 | Hotels
Hotels, boarding and guest house (where no significant element of care is provided). Excludes hostels.
B2 to B8 up to 500m
2
See Part 3 Class I
C2A | Secure Residential Institutions
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.
C3(b) covers up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care. C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household.
C4 | Houses in Multiple Occupation
C3
Small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities.
None
State-funded school F1(a) subject to Prior Approval application. It may also revert back to its previous C1 use. See Part 3 Class T
Class E Commercial Business and Services
Includes shops, restaurants, financial and professional services, indoor sport, recreation and fitness, medical or health services, creche, day nursery and day care, offices, research and development and industrial processes which can be carried out in a residential area without harming amenity. See overleaf for a full schedule of Class E uses.
State-funded school F1(a) subject to Prior Approval. It may also revert back to its previous C1 use See Part 3 Class T
See Part 3 Class L
C4 See Part 3 Class L
See Part 3 Class MA State-funded school (F1a), subject to meeting all limitations and conditions, including Prior Approval. It may also change back to its previous use. See Part 3 Class T A mixed use with up to two residential flats above premises used for Class E, betting office or pay day loan shop subject to Prior Approval and other conditions/limitations. It may also change back to its previous nonresidential use. See Part 3 Class G
Class F1 Learning and non-residential institutions
E.g. schools, museums, public libraries, exhibition halls, places or worship, law court.
C3 | Dwellinghouse
C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family.
PERMITTED CHANGES
C3 no floorspace2 restriction subject to Prior Approval
C2 | Residential Institutions
Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
USE CLASS
None
Class F2 Local Community Uses
Community halls, outdoor sport or recreation (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms), indoor or outdoor swimming pools, skating rinks, shops less than 280m2 selling essential goods and at least 1km from a similar shop.
None