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A BRIEF GUIDE TO
THE USE CLASSES ORDER 1987 (AS AMENDED 2005)
Use Classes define various categories of
property. Change of use within a particular
category does not normally require planning
permission and planning permission may not
be needed for closely related changes including:
A3 to A2 or A1
A2 to A1
A3 to A1 or A2
A4 to A1, A2 or A3
A5 to A1, A2 or A3
B2 to B1 or B8 (subject to a limitation on size)
B2 to B1 (unlimited)
B2 to B8 (subject to a limitation on size)
B8 to B1 (subject to a limitation on size)
These changes are controlled by the General Development
Order. The provisions of this legislation
are complex and there are exceptions. For
example, restrictions on change of use may
apply in conservation areas.
Change of use within a particular Use Class is
normally permitted but do take professional
advice.
Previously permitted changes of use from the Sui Generis uses are no longer permitted.
A pocket guide to the Use Classes Order
1987
| Class |
Use |
|
| A1 |
Shops including
Retail-Warehouse, Undertakers, Showrooms,
Post Offices, Hairdressers, Shops for
sale of cold food for consumption off
premises, pet shops, domestic hire shops, internet cafés. |
|
| A2 |
Financial and
Professional Services Banks, Building
Societies, Estate and Employment Agencies,
Betting Offices and other services appropriate to a shopping area. |
|
| A3 |
Restaurants, cafés and snack bars . |
|
| A4 |
Drinking establishments where the primary purpose is the sale and consumption of alcoholic drink. |
|
| A5 |
Hot food takeaways. |
|
| B1 |
Business Offices not within Use Class A2,
research and development, , Light Industry etc. Subject
to the test that all aspects of the
use must be capable of being “carried
out 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”. |
|
| B2 |
General and special Industry. |
|
| B8 |
Storage or Distribution and wholesale warehouses. |
|
| C1 |
Hotels, boarding houses and guest houses. |
|
| C2 |
Residential
Institutions Residential Schools and
Colleges, Hospitals and Nursing Homes. |
|
| C3 |
Dwelling Houses
Occupied by Single Persons or Families,
occupied by not more than 6 Residents
as a single household. |
|
| D1 |
Non-Residential
Institutions Religious Buildings, Medical
Services, Public Buildings and education. |
|
| D2 |
Assembly and
Leisure Cinemas, Concert Halls, Bingo
Halls, Casinos, Sports and Leisure Uses and outdoor sports not involving motor sport or fire arms.. |
|
| |
Sui Generis Uses
|
| Sui Generis shops: |
The sale and display of motor vehicles, filling stations, taxi or vehicle hire businesses, launderettes, amusement centres and retail warehouse clubs |
| Sui Generis industry: |
Any works registerable under the Alkali etc. Works Regulations Act 1906. |
|
| Sui Generis residential: |
Hostels. |
|
| Sui Generis Leisure: |
Theatres, nightclubs, funfairs, motor sports and sports involving firearms. |
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is a brief guide only and is not intended to be comprehensive. Please refer to the Use Classes Order 1987 (as
amended 2005) for the full text. We would advise that you take professional advice before taking any action based on
the above as the Order is subject to interpretation and amendment. The Use Classes Orders are issued by the Government for planning guidance. Reference in a legal document to the
Use Classes Order may not necessarily refer to the definitions contained within the 2005 amendments to the 1987
edition of the Order. |
