Use Classes Order Explained

What It Is

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) groups common land and building uses into classes. Changes of use within the same class do not require planning permission. Changes between certain classes may fall under permitted development.

Current Use Classes (England)

Class B2 — General industrial. Class B8 — Storage or distribution. Class C1 — Hotels. Class C2 — Residential institutions (care homes, hospitals). Class C2A — Secure residential institutions. Class C3 — Dwellinghouses. Class C4 — Houses in multiple occupation (3–6 people). Class E — Commercial, business and service (shops, restaurants, offices, light industrial, gyms, health centres, creches, and more). Class F.1 — Learning and non-residential institutions. Class F.2 — Local community uses.

Sui generis uses do not fall within any use class and always require planning permission for any change. Examples include: theatres, amusement centres, petrol stations, pubs and drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, live music venues, cinemas, and large HMOs (7+ people).

Key Change: Class E

Class E (introduced September 2020) merged the former A1 (shops), A2 (professional services), A3 (restaurants/cafes), B1 (offices/light industrial), D1 (part — health centres, creches), and D2 (part — gyms) into a single class. This means changes between these uses within the same premises do not need planning permission.

Permitted Development for Change of Use

Some changes between use classes are permitted development under the GPDO. For example, Class MA allows change from Class E to C3 (residential) subject to prior approval. Always check the current GPDO for the latest PD rights and their conditions.

Related Topics: Permitted Development, Change of Use, GPDO