Planning considerations

When considering change of use of any premises, your first line of enquiry will be to the planning authority. The planning authority deals with all aspect of planning and these include the change of use of a premises. That change might be from residential to commercial or, where the premises are already commercial premises, a change in the nature of use of those premises.

There are a number of Use Classes used to define the use of properties.

Use Classes

Many of the Use Classes defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 were re-assigned by The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020. The main aim of the recategorisation was to allow more flexibility in changing from one use to another without the need for planning permission.

If you wish to change from residential to commercial or vice versa or if you wish to change between use classes, you must speak with the local authority and, if necessary, apply for planning permission for change of use. Usually, changes from one use class to another or from residential to commercial and vice versa will require planning permission for change of use.

Planning permission for change of use may also be needed when the change constitutes a material change of use. This generally means a significant change impacting on the use of the premises. Each case must be considered on its own merits.

Additional permissions will be required if the premises form part of a listed building. You can conduct a search on the Historic England website to find out if the premises are listed.

If the premises are leased you may need landlord’s consent

If you lease the premises, you must first check the use clause in the lease. The use clause will define the uses to which you can put the premises. Check whether your proposed use is within the use provisions in the lease. If it is not, you must make a formal application to the landlord for permission for change of use.

The landlord may not be obliged to grant consent to the change of use unless there is a qualification in the lease stating that the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse consent.

There may also be clauses in the lease that trigger rent increases or reviews when consent to change of use is granted. Check the terms of the lease to find out if there is anything that is likely to cause an increase in rent or otherwise impact on your use of the premises.

Also, once the consent to change of use has been agreed, make sure you obtain that in writing.

What other consents might you need?

In addition to any planning and landlord’s consent, if you are carrying out any alterations, you may need further local authority consent for changes affecting the building regulations.

Check whether you need any health and safety permissions for the change you intend to make to the premises or their operation once change of use has come into effect.

Will you need a license following change of use?

If you plan to sell any alcohol from the premises you will need a premises license. You are also likely to need a premises license if you intend to show films, put on live music or host an indoor sporting event. The UK government has a page on premises license which is useful for checking these requirements. Again, you will need to apply to the local council for one of these.

This list is not exhaustive and you should seek professional advice to ensure you cover all eventualities.