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ARTICLE · 21 OCTOBER 2013

Changing Offices To Flats

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On 30 May 2013, the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 came into force and increased the types of changes of use that can take place without obtaining planning permission.

United KingdomReal Estate and Construction
Claire Brodrick
Claire Brodrick

On 30 May 2013, the Town and Country (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 came into force and increased the types of changes of use that can take place without obtaining planning permission.  The changes are intended to reduce the burden on the planning system and to encourage economic growth.  However, planning permission will still be required for any external works to a building that are necessary as part of the change of use.

Key features are:

  1. Permitting the change of use for buildings up to 500m2 from B1 (business) or B2 (general industrial) to B8 (storage and distribution).
  2. Permitting the change of use for buildings up to 500m2 from B2 or B8 to B1.

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