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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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 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.
| 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 |
Extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, solar panels — our complete guide covers everything you can build without planning permission.
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