Did You Know The Planning Use Classes Order is Changing?

Published: 21/08/2020

Do you know the Planning Use Classes Order is changing on the 1st Sept?

The Government has announced changes to our planning system, which will see the current Use Classes Order overhauled in favour of increased flexibility. The change has been introduced to support the recovery of our High Streets.

The new planning system which comes into force on 1 September 2020 will allow greater flexibility to change use without the need to secure planning permission.  

The main change relates to the existing Use Classes A1, A2, A3 (Retail / Cafes / Restaurants, financial & professional services), B1 (Offices), D1 (Clinics, Health Centres & Nurseries) and D2 (Leisure) which will all form a new Use Class E ‘Commercial Business and Service’.  


It is hoped the new use class system will allow vacant retail space on our high streets to be repurposed for more viable alternative uses and breathe new life into our declining town centres. 

RAB Commercial Property expect the new use class system to benefit both private and institutional landlords who will no doubt pick and choose the most valuable use or uses for any vacant property. 

It remains to be seen if the new planning system enables vacant and redundant buildings to be repurposed more quickly or if local authorities seek to impose restrictions to protect the High Street.

In our opinion the future for retail / shop units on our High Streets is positive but it is going to be a bumpy ride. Greater flexibility introduced by planning reforms will hopefully be positive for our town centres. 

If you are thinking of Letting or Selling your retail / shop unit, office building or Warehouse / Industrial Unit, speak to our commercial property experts for a free uncomplicated and strictly confidential consultation.
 
We have retail property requirements in London, Reigate, Redhill, Crawley, Croydon, Sutton, Epsom and throughout Sussex, Kent & Surrey and urgently require more stock to match demand. We also have live requirements on behalf of Subway Realty in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire.
 
If you decide to appoint us as letting or sale agents you will find our fees our very competitive for a full marketing service.
 
We take all the hassle and stress away from letting or selling your property with quick results.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.

For more information please contact :

Richard Braysher
(t) 020 3751 2775
(m) 07788 274312
richard.braysher@rabcommercial.com
www.rabcommercial.com