Use Classes Order

Use Classes Order

Definition of ‘development’

Section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA 1990) provides that planning permission is required for the development of land.

Development is defined in TCPA 1990, s 55 as comprising:

•
operations affecting land, and
•
changes of use of land

The Use Classes Order

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, SI 1987/764 (Use Classes Order) puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as 'use classes'. A change of use from one use within each use class to another use benefits from the rule in Use Classes Order, SI 1987/764, art 3 and TCPA 1990, s 55(2)(f), and will not constitute development so that no planning permission is required.

From 1 September 2020, the categories of use class became different in England and Wales.

England

Before 1 September 2020, there were five main categories of use classes in England:

•
A—shops and other retail premises

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