Understanding Change of Use and Use Classes

You're considering a 'change of use' when you plan to alter how you utilise a specific building or piece of land. This could mean keeping your property within its existing Use Class or shifting it to an entirely different one. Whenever you intend to make such a change, whether it stays in the same category or moves to another, you'll need to think about two key areas: planning permission (or prior approval) and building regulations. This is especially important if your plans involve any construction work.

What are Use Classes?

Use Classes serve as a system for categorising how land and properties can be used. The most recent revisions to these Use Classes took place on 1 September 2020. Typically, when you submit a planning application, your proposal will be evaluated based on the Use Classes that were valid on the date you made the submission.

It's important to remember that some specific laws might still reference Use Classes as they existed at an earlier date. For precise information on these situations, you should always consult your local planning authority.

Current Use Classes

Currently, properties and land uses fall into the following main categories:

• Class B

• Class C

• Class E – Commercial, Business and Service

• Class F – Local Community and Learning

• Sui Generis (This Latin term describes uses that don't fit neatly into any other defined class.)

Revoked Use Classes

We've included some of the older Use Classes here for your information because they might still apply in certain unique circumstances:

• Class A

• Class B (This refers to the previous version of Class B, not the current one in use today.)

• Class D

If you'd like to explore comprehensive details about all Use Classes, you can find the official legislation here: The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987.