A change of use planning application may be needed when a building, land or part of a property is being used for a different purpose. This can apply to homes, shops, offices, commercial units, outbuildings, flats, HMOs, short-term lets and mixed-use properties.

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Not every change of use needs planning permission, but a change may require consent if it amounts to a material change of use.

Government planning guidance says this depends on the significance of the change and its effect on the use of the land or building, and is judged on the individual facts of each case.

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Change of use issues can arise where:

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• A shop, office or commercial unit is being converted

• A house is being used as flats or an HMO

• A property is being used for Airbnb or short-term letting

• A garage, outbuilding or annex is being used separately

• A home business creates visits, deliveries, noise or parking pressure

• A residential property is changing to a commercial use

• A commercial property is changing to residential use

• A building is being split into separate uses

• External changes are needed to support the new use

• The site is in a conservation area or sensitive location

• The council needs clear plans before it can assess the proposal

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The planning system uses different use classes to group different types of land and building use. The Planning Portal provides guidance on use classes and whether changing from one use to another may need planning permission or be covered by permitted development rights.

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Ask PAS About Change of Use Plans and Drawings

 

The plans and drawings are central to a change of use application. The council needs to understand how the property is used now, how it will be used after the change and whether the new use affects neighbours, access, parking, servicing, noise or the wider area.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) can prepare change of use plans and drawings to help explain the proposal clearly.

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PAS can help show:

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• The existing use of the property or land

• The proposed new use

• The existing floor layout

• The proposed floor layout

• Which parts of the building are changing use

• How people will access the property

• Whether parking, deliveries or servicing may be affected

• Whether neighbours may be affected by noise, activity or overlooking

• Whether external alterations are proposed

• Whether the proposal needs a full planning application, prior approval or another planning route

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PAS can prepare plans and drawings for:

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• Residential to commercial changes

• Commercial to residential changes

• Shop, office and workspace conversions

• Houses to flats

• Houses to HMOs

• Airbnb and short-term letting proposals

• Outbuilding or annex use changes

• Mixed-use buildings

• Home business layouts

• Ground-floor commercial units

• Upper-floor residential conversions

• Changes involving external alterations

• Retrospective change of use applications

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What a Change of Use Planning Package May Include

 

The exact information depends on the existing use, proposed use and council requirements, but a typical package may include:

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• Site location plan

• Block plan

• Existing floor plans

• Proposed floor plans

• Existing elevations where needed

• Proposed elevations where external changes are involved

• Access and parking information

• Refuse and cycle storage information where needed

• Layout drawings showing the proposed use

• Photos of the existing property

• Supporting planning statement

• Use class explanation

• Operational notes where relevant

• Application submission support

• Help responding to planning officer queries

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For some change of use applications, the council may also ask for:

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• Noise information

• Transport or parking information

• Servicing and delivery details

• Opening hours or management information

• Fire escape or access information

• Heritage or conservation notes

• Flood risk or other technical reports where relevant

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Why Professional Support Helps

 

Change of use applications can be more complicated than they first appear because the issue is not just the building layout. The council may also consider how the new use will operate and what effect it may have on surrounding properties.

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Professional support can help you avoid:

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• Applying under the wrong use class

• Submitting plans that do not explain the existing and proposed use clearly

• Missing important parking, access or servicing issues

• Failing to show which parts of the building are changing

• Overlooking external alterations needed for the new use

• Confusing planning permission with licensing, Building Regulations or lease requirements

• Missing conservation area or Article 4 restrictions

• Submitting a weak retrospective application

• Delays caused by council requests for better plans or more information

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PAS can help present the proposal clearly so the planning officer can understand both the physical layout and the practical use of the property.

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Full-Service Support from PAS

 

PAS can provide support from the first planning review through to application submission and next steps.

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This may include:

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• Initial project review

• Change of use plans and drawings

• Existing and proposed floor layouts

• Elevation drawings where needed

• Planning application support

• Prior approval or lawful development certificate advice where suitable

• Retrospective change of use support

• Supporting planning statement

• Help responding to council queries

• Building Regulations drawings where the project moves forward

• Fire escape and layout coordination where needed

• Structural design coordination where required

• Party wall advice and services where needed

• Practical guidance before the new use begins

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A change of use can unlock real value in a property, but it needs to be presented clearly and checked against the right planning route before money is spent on works, leases, fit-out or marketing.

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Get expert help with your change of use project

 

Whether you need change of use plans, layout drawings, a planning application, prior approval support, a lawful development certificate or help with a retrospective change of use, Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what is needed and provide a clear quote for the right level of support.

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Tell us what the property is used for now, what you want to change it to, and send any photos, sketches, existing drawings or council letters you have, and we can advise on the next steps.