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Part 4: Temporary buildings and uses

Quick Reference TableThe table below shows various existing use classes and to the right of that a list of permitted development rights allowing you to temporarily use the buildings or land for other purposes.

Alternative options might be possible under Part 3 Changes of Use and you can check that table here. 

You also have the ability to change to other uses within the same use class on some instances. For example any use within Use Class E which is not actually development.

You therefore have three choices if you need another use.

From To
B2 (general industrial)
B8 (storage and distribution)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
C1 (hotels)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up three years  – P4/Class CA
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
C2 (Residential institutions)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up three years  – P4/Class CA
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
C2(a) (Secure Residential institutions)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up three years  – P4/Class CA
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
C3 (dwellinghouses)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
C4 (small houses in multiple occupation)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
E (commercial, business & service)
  • Use Class E, Betting office, Payday loan shop or Hot food takeaway uses temporary for a single period of up three years (flexible) up to 150m2  – P4/Class D
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
F1 (learning & non-residential institutions)
  • State funded school use temporary for a single period of up two years  – P4/Class C
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
F2 (local community)
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
Sui Generis
  • Use Class E, Betting office, Payday loan shop or Hot food takeaway uses temporary for a single period of up three years (flexible) up to 150m2  – P4/Class D
  • Commercial film making use temporary for 9 months – P4/Class E subject to prior approval
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B
Land
  • Land for any purpose use temporary for 28 days – P4/Class B

Other restrictions

The table provides a summary for the most common changes of use that apply in most circumstances, but there may also be further restrictions that do not allow you to implement the change of use. For example, if the property is within a Conservation Area, National Park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or if the building is a Listed Building or Scheduled Monument, within a site of special scientific interest, safety hazard area, or military explosives area.

Local planning authorities can also remove permitted development rights in certain areas, meaning that you will require planning permission, so you should always check with your local council before you consider undertaking any works.

Some changes of use are also permitted, either only on a temporary basis, and/or subject to additional restrictions.

Prior approval 

Some changes of use are subject to a prior approval procedure with the local planning authority. This seeks approval of various matters, dependent on the nature of the use, but might typically include matters relating to parking and highways, flooding, and contaminated land. In the case of A3 uses, prior approval is required in respect of matters relating to noise, odour, waste collection, impact of the hours of opening, transport and highways impact, impact on existing shopping provision, the design of any external changes and a statement specifying the net increase in dwellinghouses proposed by the development.

All prior approval applications require a fee to be paid to the local planning authority. Currently £96 or £206. See fees.

Mixed use 

Where a property is in two use classes – then it will be classed as sui generis. The one exception is a building with B1 & B2 use as long as the section allocated to B2 is not substantially increased.

 

 

Changes of use requiring a planning application

 

Other than for the permitted changes of use listed above and changes where both uses fall within the same ‘use class’, planning permission is generally required for a material change of use.

Most external building work associated with a change of use is also likely to require planning permission, although the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 does also allow some minor external changes.

 

Page Updated: 28th February 2022

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