Considering a Property or Lease?
Tell us what you want to operate, the property address and any proposed alterations. Early planning advice can help you assess the opportunity before committing to a lease, purchase or fit-out.
Change of Use
Change of Use
Find the Right Planning Route for a New Use
Change of use planning advice for property owners, businesses and developers.
Changing how a building or land is used can require planning permission even if you are not building an extension. Planning By Design helps establish the existing lawful use, assess your proposal and prepare the drawings and planning submission where needed.
Check the Planning Position Before You Commit
Already Own or Occupy the Premises?
Share the existing permissions, conditions and details of how the premises are currently used. If the new use has already started, tell us when and send any council correspondence.
Chartered Town Planners
Professional planning advice for your project.
Planning + Design
Architects and town planners working together.
UK Projects
Advice tailored to the site and local context.
Clear Scope
Know the services included in your quotation.
Does a Change of Use Need Planning Permission?
In England, a material change in the use of land or buildings normally needs planning permission unless a permitted development right applies. Whether a change is material depends on the facts, including the nature and effects of the activities.
Change Within the Same Use Class
Moving between activities within the same use class may not require a change-of-use application. We still check existing conditions, the actual use and any separate building works.
Permitted Development & Prior Approval
Some changes between uses have a permitted development route, subject to specific limits and conditions. Prior approval may be required before the change takes place.
Full Planning Application
Where the proposed change needs permission and does not qualify for permitted development, the application must address the relevant planning issues and supporting information.
Confirming a Lawful Use
Where appropriate, a Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation of the planning position. It is different from permission for an otherwise unacceptable use.
The use-class system and application rules differ across the UK. The examples here describe England; our advice is tailored to your location.
Changes of Use We Can Help You Explore
Shops, Cafés & Business Premises
Assess a new retail, food, office, fitness or service use, including customer activity, servicing and the relationship with nearby properties.
Commercial Buildings to Homes
Review proposals to convert offices, studios or other premises into residential accommodation, considering the applicable route and the quality of the proposed homes.
Homes, Shared Housing & Care Uses
Discuss a proposed HMO, care-related use or other residential arrangement. The actual activities and occupation matter, alongside any separate licensing requirements.
Outbuildings, Land & Mixed Uses
Explore business activities in an outbuilding, a new use of land or a combination of uses. Explain how the site will function, rather than relying on a label alone.
Start With the Existing Use and Your Business Plan
Our Planning Appraisal can review planning history, relevant policy and constraints before detailed design. Send a description of the proposed activity, opening hours, staffing, customer numbers, deliveries and any alterations. We can then explain the likely route, risks and next steps.
Planning Appraisal effectively becomes FREE if you proceed with any further Planning By Design service.
The appraisal fee is deducted from your quote/invoice, including if you proceed with drawings only.
What Can a Change of Use Submission Include?
Your quotation will identify the services and documents included.
Plans & Elevations
Existing and proposed layouts, a location plan, site information and elevations where the agreed application needs them.
Planning Statement
A clear explanation of the proposal and how it responds to the relevant planning issues, prepared around the actual use and site.
Operational Information
Details such as opening hours, staff, visitors, deliveries, parking, waste storage and management arrangements where relevant.
Specialist Assessments
Noise, transport, extraction, flood risk, heritage or other specialist reports may be required. We identify the likely inputs and confirm what is separately commissioned.
How Our Change of Use Service Works
Share the Proposal
Send the address, current and intended use, available plans, decision notices and your preferred programme.
Assess the Route
Review the planning position and consider an appraisal before investing in detailed design or fit-out.
Prepare the Information
Develop the agreed drawings, operational description and supporting planning documents. Coordinate specialist input where instructed.
Review & Submit
You review and approve the agreed application documents before submission. We then liaise with the authority within our appointment.
Understand the Decision
Review the outcome, conditions and next steps. Confirm any further approvals or requirements before implementing the change.
Change of Use Timescales & Costs
How Long Will It Take?
Allow four weeks or more to prepare an application, with additional time for revisions and specialist reports. Reports can take weeks or months and may depend on completed drawings. Council assessment is a separate stage, and prior approval follows its own requirements. We will discuss a programme for your particular route.
How Much Will It Cost?
Fees depend on the proposed use, drawings, planning work and specialist information. The quotation separates our services from application fees and external reports. Use our Cost Calculator for an initial estimate, then discuss your project with us. Our Price Match Guarantee applies to genuine like-for-like quotations.
Class E Does Not Cover Every Business
In England, Class E includes many shops, offices, cafés and indoor fitness or service activities. For example, a shop-to-café change can normally occur within Class E, while a hot-food takeaway or pub is treated differently. The precise use, existing conditions and associated works still need checking.
A planning position does not replace landlord consent, licensing or Building Regulations. Shopfront changes, extraction equipment and signage may also need separate consideration.
Change of Use Project: Artist Studio to a Home
Approved Full Planning Permission
The client approached Planning By Design to change the use of an artist studio to residential accommodation. Our planning appraisal identified a full planning application as the appropriate route.
Our architectural team prepared the drawings, and our town planners prepared the Planning, Design and Access Statement. With the client’s approval, the application was submitted and planning permission was granted.
Why Choose Planning By Design?
Planning Expertise
Work with a team that assesses the proposed activities and the planning context together.
Design and Planning Together
Drawings and the supporting planning case can be coordinated under one appointment.
Advice Before Commitment
Assess the planning risks before agreeing a fit-out or relying on a proposed use.
Practical Project Information
We help identify the operational details that need to be explained.
Clear Scope and Pricing
Know the agreed services and any separate specialist requirements.
Real Project Evidence
Explore our change-of-use work and the documents behind completed applications.
Change of Use FAQs
Do I need permission if I am not carrying out building work?
Possibly. A material change in how premises or land are used can require permission independently of physical alterations. Describe the proposed activity so the planning position can be assessed.
Can I change a shop into a café?
In England, both can fall within Class E, so the use change may not need an application. Existing restrictions and separate works still matter. A takeaway is not automatically treated as a café.
Can an office become a home through permitted development?
A permitted development route may be available for some premises, but eligibility and prior approval requirements must be assessed. Do not assume every office-to-home proposal qualifies.
How do I find the existing lawful use?
Start with planning decisions, conditions, previous certificates and evidence of actual occupation. A property advert or business-rates description is not, by itself, a complete planning assessment.
Does Class E mean I can operate any business?
No. Different activities may fall into other classes or outside a specified class. We need a clear description of the business and how the premises will operate.
What if I have already changed the use?
Send the dates, history and any council correspondence. We can assess the appropriate next step, which may involve a retrospective application or consideration of lawfulness. Approval cannot be assumed.
Will I need new drawings?
Drawings are required for both Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) and planning permission applications. If you already have drawings, send them to us so we can check whether they are suitable or need updating.
Are licensing and planning permission the same thing?
No. A licence, landlord consent and planning approval serve different purposes. Check all requirements relevant to the proposed business or residential use.
Can you help with a change of use outside England?
Yes. We work with every planning authority in the UK & Ireland. Share the location and details of your proposal so we can advise on the relevant planning system and application route.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. We can assess risk and prepare a clear, supported submission, but the planning decision rests with the relevant authority.
Related Planning & Design Services
Latest News & FAQs
Planning updates, guidance and answers from Planning By Design.
Let’s Discuss Your Change of Use
Tell us what the property is used for now and what you want to do next. We will help you identify the planning route.
