Why Class MA was created
In September 2020, the Use Classes Order merged shops, offices, restaurants, gyms and many other commercial uses into a single Class E. Class MA followed in August 2021, letting any Class E building change to residential use (C3) through prior approval rather than a full planning application.
How it works
You apply to the council for prior approval. The council cannot consider the principle of the change, only specified matters:
- transport impacts, contamination and flood risk;
- noise from commercial premises affecting future residents;
- adequate natural light in all habitable rooms;
- fire safety, for buildings of 18 metres or more;
- in conservation areas, the impact of losing ground-floor commercial use;
- the loss of some health centres and registered nurseries.
The council has 56 days to decide.
Since 2021
The original 1,500 m² cap and three-month vacancy test were removed in March 2024. Many London boroughs have Article 4 directions removing Class MA in town centres and employment areas, so always check before you buy.
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Sources
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
- GOV.UK: When is permission required?
This article is general information about planning in England at the date shown. It is not advice on any particular site, and the law and policy may have changed since. Please speak to us before relying on it.