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Change of Use: When Do You Need Planning Permission?

Change of Use: When Do You Need Planning Permission?

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Planning Rules

Change of Use: When Do You Need Planning Permission?

Changing how a building is used is often development requiring planning permission — but the use classes system means many changes are permitted development. Here’s how the system works.

⏱ 6 min read📅 Updated October 2026🏠 England only

Quick Answer

Depends on the use classes involved — many changes are permitted development

Whether a change of use requires planning permission depends on whether the change involves a “material change of use” and whether any permitted development rights cover the change. Changes within the same use class don’t require permission. Some changes between use classes are permitted development. Others require a full planning application. “Sui generis” uses (pubs, petrol stations, casinos, etc.) fall outside the classes and always require planning permission for any change of use.

The Use Classes System

Use Class Includes
Class E Shops, restaurants, cafes, offices, light industry, gyms, creches, health centres
Class F.1 Schools, colleges, libraries, museums, art galleries, places of worship
Class F.2 Small community shops, swimming baths, outdoor recreation
Class C1 Hotels, boarding houses, guest houses
Class C2 Hospitals, nursing homes, care homes
Class C3 Single family homes and houses occupied as a single household
Class C4 Small houses in multiple occupation (3–6 unrelated people)
Sui generis Pubs, nightclubs, casinos, petrol stations, takeaways, theatres, scrapyards

Changes Within a Use Class

Any change of use within a single use class is not development and doesn’t require planning permission. For example, a shop (Class E) changing to a restaurant (Class E), or an office (Class E) changing to a gym (Class E) — no permission needed. This intra-class flexibility is one of the most commercially significant aspects of the use classes system.

Changes Between Use Classes

A change from one use class to another is a material change of use and requires planning permission — unless a permitted development right covers the change. Examples needing permission: Class E to Class F.1 (commercial to school), Class C3 to sui generis (house to pub), Class C1 (hotel) to Class C3 (residential).

Sui Generis Uses

Sui generis uses fall outside the use classes entirely. Any change to or from a sui generis use requires planning permission — including changing between two different sui generis uses (e.g. from a pub to a nightclub). Common sui generis uses: pubs and drinking establishments, hot food takeaways, nightclubs, casinos, betting shops, theatres, petrol stations, car showrooms.

Key Permitted Development Changes

Change PD class Notes
Class E to Class C3 (commercial to residential) Class MA Prior Approval required. Two-year use requirement. Subject to Article 4 Directions in many town centres
Class C3 to Class C4 (house to small HMO) Class L No application required. Subject to Article 4 Directions in many cities
Class C4 to Class C3 (small HMO to house) Class L No application required
Agricultural to residential (barn conversion) Class Q Prior Approval required. Pre-March 2013 agricultural use requirement
Class C3 to Class C5 (house to short-term let) Class CA No application required in most areas. Article 4 Directions in tourist areas
⚠️ Prior Approval is not the same as no consent “Permitted development” for change of use often means Prior Approval rather than no consent at all. You still need to make an application and wait for the council’s decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does change of use always need planning permission?
Not always. Changes within the same use class don’t require planning permission. Some changes between use classes are permitted development under Part 3 of the GPDO 2015. Changes to and from sui generis uses always require planning permission. When in doubt, check the use classes and any applicable permitted development rights before making a change of use.
What is a material change of use?
A “material change of use” is a change in the use of land or buildings that is significant enough to constitute development under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, requiring planning permission (unless permitted development rights apply). Changes within a use class are not material changes. Changes between use classes are material changes. Some de minimis uses are also not material (e.g. using a spare bedroom as a home office).
Can I change the use of my building without telling the council?
For changes within the same use class, no notification is needed. For permitted development changes that don’t require Prior Approval, you technically don’t need to notify the council, but it may be prudent to obtain a Lawful Development Certificate to confirm the change is lawful. For any other change of use, you need either Prior Approval or full planning permission before making the change. Changing use without the required consent is a breach of planning control.
What is Class E use?
Class E (commercial, business and service) is a broad use class introduced in 2020 that consolidated many former use classes including old A1 shops, A2 financial services, A3 restaurants and cafes, B1 offices and light industry, and some D1/D2 uses. Class E includes retail shops, restaurants, cafes, offices, light industrial uses, gyms, health centres, creches, and financial services. All these uses can change between each other without planning permission. Class E buildings can also be converted to residential via Class MA permitted development.

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PERMITTED HOMEOWNER GUIDES

Planning a home project?
Start with a £15 guide.

Our illustrated, practical guides help you understand the rules, explore design options and budget with confidence — before you commit to building work.

  • Porch Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Porch Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

    View guide
  • Garage Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Garage Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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  • Garden Room Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Garden Room Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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  • Rear Extension Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Rear Extension Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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  • Side Extension Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Side Extension Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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  • Conservatory Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Conservatory Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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  • Two Storey Rear Guide — £15 illustrated PDF guide by PERMITTED
    Two Storey Rear Guide

    Rules, design options, costs and next steps.

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    Loft Conversion Guide

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