Simplification of the planning permission use classes order

On 1^st September 2020, new changes to the Use Classes Order in England were made, which have been introduced by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020.

The changes amend the planning uses within the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and provide for three new uses classes: Class E (Commercial, business and service), Class F.1 (Learning and non-residential institutions) and F.2 (Local community).

Class E – ‘Commercial, business and service’ incorporates the following planning uses into one use class:

• Shop,
• Financial and professional services,
• Restaurants and cafes,
• Offices other than a use within Class A2,
• Research and development of products or processes,
• Any industrial process (which can be carried out in any residential area without causing detriment to the amenity of the area),
• Clinics, health centres, creches, day nurseries, day centre,
• Gymnasiums, indoor recreations not involving motorised vehicles or firearms.

Class F.1 – ‘Learning and non-residential institutions’ incorporates the following planning uses into one use class:

• Schools, non-residential education and training centres, museums, public libraries, public halls, exhibition halls, places of worship, law courts.

Class F.2 – ‘Local Community’ incorporates the following planning uses into one use class:

• Shop not more than 280 sq m mostly selling essential goods, including food and at least 1km from another similar shop,
• Hall or meeting place for the principal use of the local community,
• Indoor or outdoor swimming baths, skating rinks, and outdoor sports or recreations not involving motorised vehicles or firearms.

A Pub or Drinking Establishment, a Takeaway and Cinemas, Concert Halls, Bingo Halls and Dance Halls all now fall within the Sui Generis use class.

The changes to the Use Classes Order in England, mentioned above, aim to promote the vitality and viability of town centres, by allowing more diversification to respond to changes in the retail and leisure sectors.

Please refer to the attached document, showing the changes to the Use Classes Order in England, effective from 1^st September 2020.

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