Commercial Classifications

		S u m m a r y o f U s e C l a s s e s

Use Classes		Use/Description of Development	Permitted Change

A1	Shops	Shops, Retail Warehouses, Post Offices, Ticket and Travel Agents, Hairdressers, Funeral Director & Undertakers, Domestic Hire Shops, Dry Cleaners, Sandwich Bars - Sandwiches or other cold food purchased and consumed off the premises, Internet Cafe's.	No permitted change except to mixed use as a shop and single flat and vice versa.

A2	Financial & Professional Services	Financial Services (Banks, Building Societies and Bureau de Change), Professional Services (excluding Health or Medical Services) Estate Agencies and Employment Agencies. Other services - Betting Shops. Principally where services are provided to visiting members of the public.	A1 (where there is ground floor display plus as above.

A3	Restaurants & Cafe's	Restaurants, Snack Bars and Cafe's - Use for the sale of food for consumption on the premises.	A1 or A2

A4	Drinking Establishments	Use as a Public House, Wine Bar or Other Drinking Establishment. The primary purpose is the sale and consumption of alcoholic drink on the premises.	A1, A2 or A3

A5	Hot Food & Takeaway	Use for the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises.	A1, A2 or A3

B1	Business	a) Offices other than in use within Class A2 (Financial & Professional Services), b) Research and Development - Laboratories, Studios, c) Light industry.	B8 ( Where no more than 235 m²)

B2	General Industry	General Industry (other than classified as B1). The former 'Special Industrial' Use Classes, B3 - B7, are now encompassed in tyhe B2 Use Class.	B1 ( unlimited ) or B8 ( where no more than 235m² )

B8	Storage or Distribution	Storage or Distribution Centres.	B1 ( Where no more than 235 m²)

C1	Hotels	Hotels, Boarding Houses & Guest Houses. Development falls within this class in 'no significant element of care is provided'.	No Permitted Change

C2	Residential Institutions	Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Residential School and Training Centres. Use for the provision of residential accomodation and care to people in need of care.	No Permitted Change

C2A	Secure Residential Institution	Use for a provision of secure residential accomodation, including use as a prison, young offenders intitution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use a military barracks.	No Permitted Change

C3	Dwellinghouses	Dwellings for individuals, families or not more than six people living together as a single household.	No Permitted Change

D1	Non-Residential Institutions	Medical & Health Services, Creche, Day Nursery, Day Centres, Museums, Public Halls, Libraries, Art Galleries, Exhibition Halls, Non Residential Education and Training Centres, Places of Worship, Church Halls, Law Courts.	No Permitted Change

D2	Assembly & Leisure	Cinemas, Concert Halls, Sports Halls, Swimming Baths, Skating Rinks, Gymnasia, Bingo Halls, Other Indoor / Outdoor and Leisure Uses, not involving motorised vehicles or firearms.	No Permitted Change

Sui Generis		There are many uses that are not specifically categorised by the four main Use Classes. There uses are classified as Sui Generic. E.G. Petrol Stations, Retail Warehouse Clubs, Amusement Arcades, Launderettes, Taxi or Vehicle Hire Businesses & The Selling and Displaying of Motor Vehicles, Night Clubs, Theatres, Hostels, Builders Yards, Scrap Yards and Casinos.	No Permitted Change ( except Casinos: Permitted change from Sui Generous to D2 )

Use Classes order 1987 - Including amendments of 2005 and 2006. This summary provides a guide to the Use classes order in England and does not purport to be comprehensive. The Use Classes Order can be subject to interpretation and amendment and we would recommend professional advise is taken if in doubt.