Change Of Use (Buildings)

In many cases, a change of use of a building or land does not require planning permission. For example, a greengrocer's can be changed to a shoe shop without permission. Planning permission is not required when both the present and proposed uses fall within the same "class" as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. It is also possible to change use between some classes without making an application. Details are given in Annex 1.
Before you negotiate a lease or buy a property, it is advisable that you consider whether you need to obtain planning permission for your intended use and, if so, your chances of getting it.

Flats over shops
You may be able to convert space over a shop (and certain other premises with a display window), or over a ground floor office, into a single flat without putting in a planning application, provided the following is true:

• the space is in the same use class, to start with, as the shop or office (either Class A1 or A2);
• the space is not in a separate planning unit from the shop;
• you will not change the outside appearance of the building; and
• if there is a display window at ground floor level, you will not incorporate any of the ground floor into the flat.