Use Classes order amendment

BACKGROUND TO USE CLASSES UPDATE

Government has advised that the main driver of change to use classes for parking standards has been the need to enable a repurposing of buildings on high streets and town centres. The new Class E allows for a mix of uses to reflect changing retail requirements. It will allow a building to be used flexibly by having a number of uses taking place concurrently or by allowing different uses to take place at different times of the day. Changes to another use, or mix of uses, within this class will not require planning permission.

The residential (C classes), general industrial (B2) and storage and distribution (B8) use classes remain unchanged, except for a new cross reference in the B2 class to the new Class E ‘commercial’ use class.

The following table provides a brief summary of how uses have been reclassified from 1 September 2020:

USE CLASS A

Class A is revoked from 1 September 2020

• Class A 1/2/3 are effectively replaced with the new Class E(a,b,c)
• A4/5 uses are not covered by the new Class E and become defined as ‘Sui Generis’

Definitions of Use Class A are included here for reference and use in specific situations where it remains valid (as detailed above):

• A1 Shops – Shops, retail warehouses, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices, pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, funeral directors and internet cafes
• A2 Financial and professional services – Financial services such as banks and building societies, professional services (other than health and medical services) and including estate and employment agencies. It does not include betting offices or pay day loan shops – these are now classed as “sui generis” uses (see below)
• A3 Restaurants and cafés – For the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises – restaurants, snack bars and cafes
• A4 Drinking establishments – Public houses, wine bars or other drinking establishments (but not night clubs) including drinking establishments with expanded food provision
• A5 Hot food takeaways – For the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises.

USE CLASS B

B1 Business is revoked from 1 September 2020. It is effectively replaced with the new Class E(g).

Definitions of Use Class B are included here for reference and use in specific situations where it remains valid (as detailed above):

• B1 Business – Uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity. This class is formed of three parts:
  B1(a) Offices – Other than a use within Class A2 (see above)
  B1(b) Research and development of products or processes
  B1(c) Industrial processes

Uses B2 and B8 remain valid.

• B2 General industrial – Use for industrial process other than one falling within class E(g) (previously class B1) (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste)
• B8 Storage or distribution – This class includes open air storage.