Change of use from Class E to Mixed-use

Permitted Development in summary allows you to carry out changes to an existing building without the need for a full planning application. This allows for buildings to be converted or extended quickly without going through the whole planning process.

Ultimately, it saves time and money and allows development to occur quicker with less red tape.

Class G is a planning permitted development that allows the change of use from Use Class E to Mixed-use development by adding 2no. self-contained apartments (C3) on the upper floors.

Use Class E includes the following uses:

• Shops
• Financial and professional services
• Restaurants and cafes
• Offices
• Light Industrial
• Medical or health services
• Creches
• Day Nursery
• Indoor sports

Use Class C3 includes dwellinghouses for single families such as houses or a flats

Class G permitted development will require a Prior Approval planning application

There is no date stamp in Class G, which means the building can be a new development.

It is not restricted by location (ie conservation areas) but a Listed Building will require Listed Building Consent.

What is ‘Mixed-Use’

Mixed-use in the context of Class G refers to having up to two flats above a commercial unit on the ground floor. Only the area above the commercial units can be converted into flats not the space on the ground floor.

The key requirement is that the upper floors are connected to the commercial unit and form as an ancillary space for the ground floor unit.

Ancillary Use

It is important that the spaces on the upper floors are ancillary to the ground floor units. This means it is connected in some way.

For example, the upper floors are used for storage or office for the ground floor commercial unit.

If the upper floors are not ancillary spaces to the ground floor then a separate planning application will be required as it will fall outside of Class G Permitted Development Rights.

Application Form

In August 2021 Class G was altered to require the need for a Prior Approval application to be submitted to the local authority. This is much cheaper and quicker than a traditional full planning application.

The following documents will be required for the prior approval application. Please check with your local authority as this may vary from council to council.

• Completed form
• Application fee
• Existing and proposed drawings
• Ground contamination report
• Noise assessment
• Daylight study
• Transport/parking assessment
• Waste management

Fees

The prior approval application fee is £100 per dwelling under Class G, at the time of writing.

Assessment

The local planning authority will assess the application against the following:

• Transport & Highways
• Contamination
• Flood Risk
• Noise from commercial units affecting residents
• Natural light to all habitable rooms
• If the conversion affects business