Class MA replaced Class O in 2021 — it permits a wide range of commercial buildings to convert to residential with Prior Approval. Here’s how it works.
Class MA of Part 3 of the GPDO 2015 permits the change of use of a building in Class E commercial use to Class C3 residential use (dwellinghouses or flats) with Prior Approval. Class MA replaced the earlier Class O (offices to residential) and Class M (retail/financial to residential) in August 2021. It covers a much wider range of commercial uses than its predecessors — any building in the new Class E use class (offices, retail, restaurants, gyms, healthcare, light industrial) can potentially convert to residential under Class MA. Prior Approval is required and the council can assess specified matters including flooding, contamination, noise, transport, daylight, and design in conservation areas.
Class MA (introduced in August 2021 as part of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021) permits the change of use of a building in Class E use to Class C3 residential use. Class E is the new commercial use class that merged the old A1 (retail), A2 (financial), A3 (restaurants), B1 (offices/light industrial), and D1 (some community uses) use classes.
The breadth of Class MA is its key feature — it applies to buildings currently in (or last used for) Class E, which covers:
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vacancy requirement | The building must have been vacant for at least 3 continuous months immediately before the application date |
| 2-year use period | The building must have been in Class E use (or the previous equivalent use classes) for at least 2 years before the application |
| Floor space limit (pre-2024) | Buildings up to 1,500m² were eligible — this was removed in 2024 and Class MA now applies regardless of floor space |
| Listed buildings excluded | Class MA does not apply to listed buildings |
| SSSI exclusion | Does not apply within sites of special scientific interest |
| Conservation area design | In conservation areas, the council can assess the design and external appearance of the building |
| Flood risk | The building must not be in flood zone 3 or be at high probability of flooding |
Class MA requires Prior Approval from the local planning authority. The council has 56 days to determine the application. The council can assess:
Class MA and a full planning application are different routes to the same outcome. Key comparisons:
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assessment scope | Class MA: specified matters only. Planning permission: full development plan assessment |
| Affordable housing | Class MA: not required. Planning permission: may be required on larger schemes |
| CIL | Class MA: not always applicable (varies by council). Planning permission: usually applicable |
| Design control | Class MA: limited (only in conservation areas). Planning permission: full design assessment |
| Determination period | Class MA: 56 days. Planning permission: typically 8 weeks (householder) or 13 weeks (major) |
| Appeal rights | Both have the same appeal rights to the Planning Inspectorate |
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