PROJECTS - USE CLASSES ORDER
The Use Classes Order in England underwent significant changes in September 2020 to provide greater flexibility in property use and support economic recovery. The key amendments included the introduction of new classes and the reclassification of certain uses:
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Class E (Commercial, Business, and Service): This new class consolidated several previous classes, including A1 (Shops), A2 (Financial and Professional Services), A3 (Restaurants and Cafés), B1 (Business), and parts of D1 and D2. It encompasses a wide range of uses such as retail, restaurants, offices, gyms, and healthcare services, allowing for changes between these uses without the need for planning permission.
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Class F1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institutions): This class includes uses such as schools, libraries, museums, and places of worship.
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Class F2 (Local Community): This class covers uses important to local communities, including small shops (under 280 square meters) selling essential goods, community halls, and outdoor sports facilities.
Additionally, certain uses were designated as 'sui generis' (in a class of their own), meaning any change to or from these uses requires planning permission. This category includes uses such as pubs, wine bars, hot food takeaways, and cinemas. These changes aimed to simplify the planning system and provide greater adaptability for property uses, particularly in response to changing economic conditions and the evolving needs of communities.
In the context of land-use planning, zoning, and classifications such as Use Classes Order (e.g., in the UK or similar systems globally), several potential future changes may emerge. These changes are driven by evolving societal needs, environmental concerns, and technological advancements. I the future we are likely to see increasing integration of residential, commercial, and leisure spaces within single developments or zones. This may involve relaxing restrictions between certain classes (e.g., allowing more mixed-use developments in traditionally single-use zones). We will also see a rise in remote work might lead to changes that accommodate home offices within residential use classes.
In the future a greater emphasis will be placed on preserving and creating green spaces within urban areas could lead to stricter controls on land-use changes that affect ecological balance with changes to use classes to support renewable energy installations, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly building practices ad affordable Housing: Policies may prioritize conversions of certain classes (e.g., commercial to residential) to address housing shortages, especially rural housing.
These trends suggest that future changes to use classes will aim to strike a balance between flexibility, sustainability, and efficiency, reflecting the rapidly changing needs of modern societies.
If you would like to see how our Planning Consultancy and Architectural Services can work in harmony to deliver success by the utilising the use classes order please do not hesitate to contact us.
