Change of Use

Below is a list explaining what each ‘class’ is and which changes are permitted without planning permission.  Other changes of use will require planning permission and will be dealt with on their merits, having regard to the policies within the Warwick District Local Plan 1996-2011. 

Change of Use Classes

Part A

A1 : Shops

• Shops, post offices, travel/ticket agents, hairdressers, funeral directors, dry cleaners, sandwich bars. (No permitted change)

A2 : Financial and Professional Services

• Banks, building societies, estate/employment agencies and other financial and professional services. (Permitted change to A1 where a ground floor display window exists)

A3 : Food and Drink (Applicable up to 20th April 2005)

• Pubs, restaurants, cafes, and hot food take-aways. (Permitted change to A1 or A2)

A3 : Restaurants and Cafes (Applicable from 21st April 2005)

• Restaurants, snack bars and cafes. (Permitted changes to A1 or A2)

A4 : Drinking Establishments (Applicable from 21st April 2005)

• Pubs and bars. (Permitted change to A1, A2 or A3)

A5 : Hot Food Take-Aways (Applicable from 21st April 2005)

• Take-Aways. (Permitted change to A1, A2 or A3)

Sui Generis

• Shops selling and/or displaying motor vehicles, retail warehouse clubs, launderettes, taxi or vehicle hire businesses, amusement centres, petrol filling stations. (No permitted change)

Part B

B1 : Business

• Offices, research and development, light industry appropriate in a residential area. (Permitted change to B8 where no more than 235sq m)

B2 : General Industrial

• General industry. (Permitted change to B1 or B8 where no more than 235sq m)

B8 : Distribution, including Open Air Storage

• Warehouse, distribution centres, repositories. (Permitted change to B1 where no more than 235sq m)

Sui Generis

• Any works registrable under the Alkali, etc Works Regulation Act 1906. (No permitted change)

Part C

C1 : Hotels

• Hotels, boarding and guest houses. (No permitted change)

C2 : Residential Institutions

• Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres. (No permitted change)

C3 : Dwelling Houses

• Family houses, or houses occupied by up to six residents living together as a single household, including a household where care is provided for residents. (No permitted change)

Sui Generis

• Hostel. (No permitted change)

Part D

D1 : Non-Residential Institutions

• Surgeries, health centres, crèches, nurseries, day centres, art galleries, museums, libraries, halls, churches and non-residential education and training centres. (No permitted change)

D2 : Assembly and Leisure

• Cinemas, concert halls, bingo and dance halls, casinos, swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or sports arenas (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used). (No permitted change)

Sui Generis

• Theatres, nightclubs. (No permitted change)

Changes of use requiring an application

Applications for planning permission are always required for material changes of use involving amusement centres, theatres, scrap yards, petrol filling stations, car showrooms (except for material changes of use from car showrooms to A1 uses), taxi and car hire businesses and hostels.

More information

For more information regarding how to submit an application please go to Applying for Permission. If you are in any doubt about whether you need to apply, you should consult the Development Control Section of the planning department.