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USE CLASSES ORDER

Some uses of land are so similar, in planning land-use terms, that to require planning permission to change between them might be considered as overly burdensome. Therefore the 1990 Act excludes from the definition of development any change of use where both the existing and proposed uses fall within the same class of use as defined by the Order.

To check the defined uses and the permitted changes between the use classes click below:-

THE USE CLASSES

CHANGES BETWEEN USE CLASS

FIRST - establish whether your property falls within one of the Use Classes. Check the details for each property type.

SECOND - If so, check to see if you can change between the present use and any proposed use without planning permission. Remember that the change of use is generally only one way.

THIRD - If your property does not fall within one of the use classes it is Sui Generis; ie a use on its own. Any change of use will require a formal planning application.

Background:
The Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 are amended by Statutory Instrument 2005/84 which came in to force on the 21st April 2005. Circular 13/87 which gives advice on the Order is cancelled. Replacement Circular 3/2005 can be read in full here.