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Use Class C3

What is allowed.

Use Class C3 is split into three sub-sections which all form part of the same use class. These are:

• C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child
• C3(b) covers up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems
• C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household. This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger

Where can I use it

Class C3 is the dominant class for all residential dwellings in England and you may move within Class C3 and any of its sub-classes without planning permission.

What is not allowed

A Material Change of Use, that is not subject to a Permitted Development Allowance already in place, to any other use class requires planning permission and may be subject to local policy restrictions.

The sub-division of a house in to more than one dwelling is taken as a material change of use needing planning permission under S55(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Permitted Development to Class C3

Subject to restrictions From:

• Hot Food Takeaways
• Amusement Arcade
• Betting Shop
• Pay Day Loan Shop
• Hot Food Takeaway
• Agricultural Building
• Mixed use with retail uses establishments

Permitted Development from Class C3

Subject to restrictions to:

How do I use the allowance

No planning permission is required to move from a use within Class C3 to another use within Class C3 albeit you may wish to seek a certificate of lawfulness.

Conversions to and from dwellings within Class C3 will be subject to further permitted development allowances in August of 2021

WHAT IS CLASS C PLANNING USE?

WHAT IS CLASS C PLANNING USEAGE? 

Do i need planning permission to change to or from class c use.

Our FAQ Series answers some of the most commonly searched for queries across TownPlanning.info.  Today we take a look at planning use classes that include various forms of residential accommodation – the C class uses. 

For more information on use classes and  planning permission, see our Guide to Planning Change of Use and the Use Classes Order .  

USE CLASS C – ACCOMMODATION

Use class c1 – hotels and hostels.

Planning Use Class C1 includes hotels, boarding or guest houses or hostels where no significant element of care is provided.

Change of use from class C1 can be made under permitted development rights to a state-funded school (and back to previous lawful use), subject to the prior approval process.

Use Class C2 – Residential Institutions

Planning Use Class C2 includes residential accommodation with elements of care being provided to people in need of it, residential schools, colleges or training centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Change of use from class C2 can be made under permitted development rights to a state-funded school (and back to previous lawful use), subject to the prior approval process.  

Use Class C2A – Secure Residential Institutions

Planning Use Class C2A includes prisons, young offenders’ institutions, detention centres, secure training centres etc.

Change of use from class C2A can be made under permitted development rights to a state-funded school (and back to previous lawful use), subject to the prior approval process.

Use Class C3 – Houses, Flats, Apartments

Planning Use Class C3 includes dwelling houses, flats, apartments etc (whether or not as main residence) by:

• A single person or by people to be regarded as forming a single household
• Not more than 6 residents (if over six, then becomes ‘sui-generis’)

Change of use from class C3 can be made under permitted development rights to C4 without the need for a planning application.  Beware however that in many areas, that right is removed through us of what are known as ‘Article 4 Directions’.  Check with your local authority.  

Use Class C4 – Small HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

Planning Use Class C4 covers small, shared dwelling houses occupied by between 3-6 unrelated individuals as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Class C4 does not include HMOs of over six people, which are ‘sui generis’ – i.e. do not fall within any use class.  Planning permission is required for any large HMO of over six people. 

Change of use from class C4 can be made under permitted development rights to C3 without the need for a planning application. 

This guide is correct at the time of writing in September 2021 and is intended as an initial reference guide only.  For further details, refer to the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). 

TownPlanning.info has an extensive catalogue of articles and guides which help explain the town planning system in England. 

See below for links to some of our most popular pages or use the search function and menus at the top of the page.  

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Planning permission: use classes (change of use)

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) puts uses of land and buildings into various categories known as 'Use Classes'. Planning permission is not needed for a change of use of land to a new use within the same class, unless restricted by a planning condition . Planning conditions can be found on the planning register held by the local planning authority.

The following list gives an indication of the types of use which may fall within each use class. Please note that this is a guide only and it's for local planning authorities to determine, in the first instance, depending on the individual circumstances of each case, which use class a particular use falls into.

• A1 Shops -  Shops, hairdressers, undertakers, travel and ticket agencies, post offices (but not sorting offices), pet shops, sandwich bars, showrooms, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners and funeral directors.
• A2 Financial and professional services -  Financial services such as banks and building societies, professional services (other than health and medical services) including estate and employment agencies (excludes betting offices).
• A3 Food and drink -  For the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises - restaurants, snack bars and cafes, drinking establishments and take-aways.
• B1 Business -  Offices (other than those that fall within A2), research and development of products and processes, light industry appropriate in a residential area.
• B2 General industrial -  Use for industrial process other than one falling within class B1 (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste).
• B8 Storage or distribution -  Use for storage or as a distribution centre. This class includes open air storage.
• C1 Hotels -  Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels).
• C2 Residential institutions -  Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres.
• C2A Secure Residential Institution  - Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks.
• C3(a)  covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child.
• C3(b)  up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.
• C3(c)  allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household to allow for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition to be provided for, e.g. a small religious community may fall into this category as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger.
• C4 Houses in multiple occupation  - small shared houses or flats occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom. For the purposes of class C4, a ‘house in multiple occupation’ has the same meaning as in section 254 of the Housing Act 2004 and does not include a converted block of flats to which section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 applies.
• C5 Dwellinghouses, used otherwise than as sole or main residences – Dwellinghouses used otherwise than as a sole or main residence and occupied for 183 days or fewer. 
• C6 Short term lets – Dwellinghouses used for commercial short-term letting not longer than 31 days for each period of occupation.
• D1 Non-residential institutions -  Clinics, health centres, crèches, day nurseries, day centres, schools, art galleries (other than for sale or hire), museums, libraries, halls, places of worship, church halls, law court, non residential education and training centres.
• D2 Assembly and leisure -  Cinemas, music and concert halls, casinos, bingo and dance halls, swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or area for indoor or outdoor sports and recreation (except for motor sports, or where firearms are used).
• Unique Use  - Certain uses do not fall within any use class and are considered a 'unique use'. Such uses include: theatres, hostels, scrap yards, petrol filling stations and shops selling and/or displaying motor vehicles, launderettes, taxi businesses, amusement centres and betting offices.

Before you negotiate a lease or buy a property for your business, check whether you need to obtain planning permission for your intended use, and, if so, your chances of getting it.

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Planning Use Class Issues

The issue of the Use Class of specialist housing for older people should be considered according to the circumstances and proposals. Some will be Use Class C2, some C3 and some sui generis.

The definition of what forms the 'planning unit' will be critical. Most relevant will be the degree of care and support provided. To fall within C2 use class the accommodation must comply with the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) as follows:

" Class C2. Residential institutions Use for the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care (other than a use within class C3 (dwelling houses)). Use as a hospital or nursing home. Use as a residential school, college or training centre. In addition to defining the Use Classes above, the Order provides a definition of care which states: "personal care for people in need of such care by reason of old age, disablement, past or present dependence on alcohol or drugs or past or present mental disorder, and in class C2 also includes the personal care of children and medical care and treatment".

General C3 housing is defined as follows within the Use Classes Order, and is split into 3 categories (underlining added):

"C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child. C3(b): up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems. C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household. This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger."

For further information on Use Classes can also be found in the following documents:

• Permission Required?
• CIL – London Mayoral
• The process
• Special Areas of Conservation
• Special Protection Areas
• World Heritage Sites
• National Parks
• SSSI / ASSI
• Conservation areas
• Listed Buildings
• Planning Fees
• Flood Risk Assessment
• Space Standards for dwellings
• Minimum sizes for HMOs
• Section 102 & 104 Agreement
• Section 106 Agreement
• Section 278 Agreement
• Section 38 Agreement
• More in the Glossary!

Use Classes

• Permitted Development
• Minor or Major Application?
• How long will planning take?
• PiP – Permission in Principle
• Lawful Development Certificate
• Building Regs
• Zoom or Google Meet Mentoring Calls
• Public Speaking
• Facebook Community
• Appraisal Request
• Privacy Policy
• Bio – Ian Walmsley
• Do you need planning permission?
• Latest News
• Use Classes Home
• Which Use Class?
• Directory of use classes
• Use Class B
• Use Class C
• Use Class E
• Use Class F1
• Use Class F2
• Sui Generis
• Changes in 2020/21
• Proposed changes to the GPDO
• Article 2 Land
• Larger Home Extension
• Rear Extensions
• Side Extensions
• Class AA – Additional storeys
• Class B – Roofs
• Class C – Other alterations to roofs
• Class D – Porches
• Class E – Outbuildings
• Class F – Driveways
• Class G – Chimneys
• Class H – Satellite dishes
• Paragraph I – Definitions
• Class A – gates, fences etc
• Class B – Access to a highway
• Class C – Exterior painting
• Class D – Car charging points
• Class E – Electrical upstand
• Class F – CCTV
• Class G – Marquees for pubs
• Table of changes via use class
• Table of where they are allowed
• Class A – Casino
• Class AA – pubs with grub
• Class G – Shops
• Class H – mixed use to Class E
• Class I – industrial conversions
• Class L – Small HMOs
• Class M – Launderette, betting etc.
• Class MA – Use Class E
• Class N – Amusements
• Class Q – Barns etc.
• Class R – Barns etc.
• Class S – Agricultural to schools
• Class T – Class E to schools
• Class U – School to previous use
• Class V – Previous PD granted
• Paragraph W – Procedure
• Paragraph X – Definitions
• Table of temporary changes
• Class A – temporary buildings
• Class B – temporary use of land
• Class BB – moveable structures
• Class BC – temporary campsites
• Class C – temp school for 2 years
• Class CA – temp school for 3 years
• Class CB – RAAC affected schools
• Class D – temporary commercial use
• Class DA – takeaway food
• Class E – filmmaking purposes
• Interpretation of Part 4
• Class A – use of land as caravan site
• Class B – development on a caravan site
• Class C – use of land by organisations for tents
• Is the use of the land agricultural?
• What is an agricultural unit?
• Class A – Development on land over 5 ha
• Class B – Development on land under 5 ha
• Class C – Mineral working
• Paragraph D – Interpretation of Classes A to C
• Class E – Forestry developments
• Class A – Commercial extensions
• Class B – Shop trolley stores
• Class C – Click and collect
• Class D – Shop loading bays
• Class E – Commercial hard surfaces
• Class H – Industrial buildings
• Class I – Industrial process
• Class J – Industrial Hard surfaces
• Class K – Waste deposits
• Class L – Waste management
• Class M – Educational Extensions
• Class MA – Prison fences
• Class N – Hard surfaces for education
• Paragraph O
• Class A – Railways
• Class B – Water transport
• Class C – Waterways
• Class D – Dredging
• Class E – Shipping / Lighthouses
• Class F – Development at an airport
• Class G – Air traffic at an airport
• Class H – Air traffic near an airport
• Class I – Air traffic within an airport
• Class J – Air traffic operational land
• Class K – Air traffic in an emergency
• Class L – Air traffic moveable structures
• Class M – CAA for surveys etc.
• Class N – Airport buildings
• Paragraph O – Interpretation of Part 8
• Class A – Highways authorities
• Class B – Highways Act 1980
• Class C – Tramway
• Class D – Toll road
• Class E – Unadopted streets
• Class A – repairs to services, pipes
• Class A – Dev by Historic England
• Class B – Demolition of buildings
• Class C – Demolition of walls etc
• Class A – infrastructure required
• Class B – Waste Material
• Class BA – holding of a market
• Paragraph C: Phrases used
• Class A – Emergency development
• Class A – Hydraulic power
• Class B – Sewerage
• Class C – Drainage bodies
• Class D – Environment Agency
• Class A – Solar panels on resi
• Class B – Stand-alone Solar - resi
• Class C – Ground source heat pumps on resi
• Class D – Water source heat pumps on resi
• Class E – Flue for a Biomass on resi
• Class F – Flue for a micro combined heat on resi
• Class G – air source heat pumps- resi
• Class H – Wind turbine on resi
• Class I – Stand-alone wind turbine - resi
• Class J – Solar equip - com
• Class K – Stand-alone solar equip - com
• Class L – Ground source heat pumps - com
• Class M – Water source heat pump - com
• Class N – Flue for a Biomass - com
• Class O – Flue for a micro combined heat - com
• Paragraph P – Interpretation
• Class A – Gas transporters
• Class B – Electricity
• Class A – electronic comms
• Class B – Microwave antenna over 15m
• Class C – Microwave antenna under 15m
• Class D – Driver information
• Class E – Postal service
• Paragraph F
• Class A – extensions to mining
• Class B – other developments mining
• Class C – developments for maintenance or safety
• Class D – Coal Authority
• Class E – British Coal Corporation
• Class F – coal-mining development
• Class G – Coal Authority safety
• Class H – waste tipping
• Class I – waste tipping 1948
• Class J – temp mineral exploration
• Class JA – temp petroleum exploration
• Class K – mineral exploration
• Class KA – petroleum exploration
• Class L – stockpile
• Class M – mineral-working deposits
• Paragraph N
• Class A – private Acts
• Class B – amusement parks
• Class A – general development
• Class B – extensions
• Class C – developments
• Class D – hard surfaces
• Class E – airbase
• Class F – within an airbase
• Class G – outside an airbase
• Class H – development for ATS
• Class I – emergency land for ATS
• Class J – land etc for ATS
• Class K – land for surveys
• Class L – buildings for ATS etc.
• Class M – development for rail
• Class N – shipping equip
• Class O – dredged material
• Class P – shipping aids
• Class Q – an emergency
• Class QA – pandemic
• Class R – gates, fences etc
• Class S – CCTV
• Class T – electronic comms
• Class TA – closed defence site
• Paragraph U – Interpretation of Part 19
• Airspace Table
• Class ZA – Demolition & construction of new flats
• Class A – Detached blocks of flats
• Class AA – Flats on detached commercial
• Class AB – Flats on terraced commercial
• Class AC – Flats on terraced houses
• Class AD – Flats on detached houses
• Paragraph B – Procedure
• Paragraph C – Definitions
• Article 4 Directions
• Schedule 4: Instruments revoked
• Article 2 – Interpretation
• Article 3 – Permitted development
• Article 6 – Directions: general
• Article 7ZA
• Article 7A – Review
• Article 8 – Revocations and saving
• London Mayoral CIL
• The Process
• Conservation Areas
• Podcast – Property on Fire
• Standards for dwellings
• Section 104 & 102 Agreement
• Planning Use Class

Use Class B – Business that supply people

Use class c – locations where people sleep, use class e – commercial, business and service, use class f1 – learning and non-residential institutions, use class f2 – local community uses, sui generis – everything else, what happens if a building has two uses , legislation:.

All buildings fall under a Use Class as defined in the The Town and Country Planning ( Use Classes )  Order  1987 (as amended). However there is not a list of use classes within this country. Please do not reply upon apps to tell you either, as can be woefully out of date. Please note that the link above will show the use classes when they were introduced in 1987 and not how they are now as changes have been made.

A full timeline or history of the Use Classes Order is now available here .

The Use Class Order 2020 was an update to the Use Class Order 1987 and the changes are summarised here and detailed on the timeline here .

This section can also be found under the domain of useclass.co.uk which will direct to straight to this page.

These are divided into six sections. These are ‘Use Class B –  businesses which supply or support others’ , ‘Use Class C – locations where people sleep’ , Use Class E – ‘ commercial, business and Service’ , Use Class F1 – ‘learning and non-residential institutions’ , Use Class F2 – ‘local community uses’ and a Sui Generis – ‘category for those locations which are unique in themselves’ .

Now that that is clear!  We will list out each section in turn with as many examples as possible to avoid confusion.

Click on the respective parts to see locations contained within them……

B2 – General Industrial B8 – Storage and Distribution

C1 – Hotels C2 – Residential Institutions C2A – Secure residential institutions C3 – Homes C4 – HMOs

Various uses from shops, offices, restaurants, light industrial and much more

Schools, galleries, museums and more

Local Community uses

If it isn’t in one of the use classes above, then it is under Sui Generis (a bit of Latin pronounced [SOO] + [EE] – [JEN] + [UH] + [RIS] ) –  Click here for more on Sui Generis….

Where a property is in two  use classes  – then it will be classed as  sui generis .

However quite often it does not have two use classes – if a museum has an office attached then the office is ‘ancillary’ to the museum. The museum is the element that keeps the organisation going, without that the office is pointless. Therefore the office is Use Class F1 along with the museum. The Office is not in Use Class E.

Where there really are two uses then the building will be sui generis . However, also be careful in case the building is actually two separate planning units. If they are not linked then they would each retain their own planning Use Class.

The one exception is a building with Class E, sub-paragraph (g)  & B2 use as long as the section allocated to B2 is not substantially increased.

Planning Use Classes

Citation and commencement

1. This Order may be cited as the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and shall come into force on 1st June 1987.

Interpretation

2. In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires:—

“care” means personal care for people in need of such care by reason of old age, disablement, past or present dependence on alcohol or drugs or past or present mental disorder, and in class C2 also includes the personal care of children and medical care and treatment; “day centre” means premises which are visited during the day for social or recreational purposes or for the purposes of rehabilitation or occupational training, at which care is also provided; “industrial process” means a process for or incidental to any of the following purposes:— (a) the making of any article or part of any article (including a ship or vessel, or a film, video or sound recording); (b) the altering, repairing, maintaining, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning, washing, packing, canning, adapting for sale, breaking up or demolition of any article; or (c) the getting, dressing or treatment of minerals; in the course of any trade or business other than agriculture, and other than a use carried out in or adjacent to a mine or quarry; “site” means the whole area of land within a single unit of occupation.

3.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this Order, where a building or other land is situated in Wales and is used for a purpose of any class specified in Schedule 1 , the use of that building or that other land for any other purpose of the same class is not to be taken to involve development of the land.

(1A) Subject to the provisions of this Order, where a building or other land is situated in England and is used for a purpose of any class specified in— (a) Part B or C of Schedule 1, or (b) Schedule 2, the use of that building or that other land, or if specified, the use of part of that building or the other land (“part use”), for any other purpose of the same class is not to be taken to involve development of the land.

(1B) Part B of Schedule 1 applies to a building or other land that is situated in England subject to the modifications set out in paragraph (1C).

(1C) Part B of Schedule 1 applies to a building or other land that is situated in England as if— (a) Class B1 (Business) were omitted, and (b) for Class B2 (General industrial) there were substituted—        “Class B2. General industrial Use for the carrying on of an industrial process other than one falling within the uses described in Schedule 2, Class E, sub-paragraph (g).”

(2) References in paragraph (1) and (1A) to a building include references to land occupied with the building and used for the same purposes.

(3) A use which is included in and ordinarily incidental to any use in a class specified in Schedule 1 or 2 is not excluded from the use to which it is incidental merely because it is specified in the Schedule Schedule 1 or 2 as a separate use.

(4) Where land on a single site or on adjacent sites used as parts of a single undertaking is used for purposes consisting of or including purposes falling within— (a) in relation to Wales, Classes B1 and B2 in Schedule 1, or (b) in relation to England, the use described in Schedule 2, Class E, sub-paragraph (g) and Class B2 in Schedule 1 as modified by paragraph (1C)(b), those classes may be treated as a single class in considering the use of that land for the purposes of this Order, so long as the area used for a purpose falling within Class B2, or Class B2 as modified, is not substantially increased as a result.

(6) No class specified in Schedule 1 or 2 includes use — (a) as a theatre, (b) as an amusement arcade or centre, or a funfair, (c) as a launderette, (d) for the sale of fuel for motor vehicles, (e) for the sale or display for sale of motor vehicles, (f) for a taxi business or business for the hire of motor vehicles, (g) as a scrapyard, or a yard for the storage or distribution of minerals or the breaking of motor vehicles, (h) for any work registrable under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act 1906, (i) as a hostel, (j) as a waste disposal installation for the incineration, chemical treatment (as defined in Annex I to Directive 2008/98/EC under heading D9) or landfill of hazardous waste as defined (in relation to England) in regulation 6 of the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 or (in relation to Wales) in regulation 6 of the Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005; (k) as a retail warehouse club being a retail club where goods are sold, or displayed for sale, only to persons who are members of that club, (l) as a night-club. (m) as a casino, (n) as a betting office, (o) as a pay day loan shop. (p) as a public house, wine bar, or drinking establishment, (q) as a drinking establishment with expanded food provision, (r) as a hot food takeaway for the sale of hot food where consumption of that food is mostly undertaken off the premises, (s) as a venue for live music performance, (t) a cinema, (u) a concert hall, (v) a bingo hall, (x) a dance hall.

(6A) For the purpose of paragraph (6)— “high-cost short-term credit” has the meaning given in the edition of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Handbook which came into effect on 1st April 2014 (following an amendment by the Authority in the Consumer Credit (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Instrument 2014); and “pay day loan shop” means premises— (a) from which high-cost short-term credit is provided principally to visiting members of the public and includes premises from which such credit is provided in addition to other financial or professional services, and (b) which, but for provision made in this article, would fall within Class A2 (financial and professional services) of the Schedule Schedule 1 or Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) of Schedule 2 to this Order.

Change of use of part of building or land

4. In the case of a building used for a purpose within class C3 (dwellinghouses) in Schedule 1 , the use as a separate dwellinghouse of any part of the building or of any land occupied with and used for the same purposes as the building is not, by virtue of this Order, to be taken as not amounting to development.

5. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1972   and the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) Order 1983   are hereby revoked.

Part B ( Use Class B ) Part C  ( Use Class C )

Part A – Commercial, Business and Service (Use Class E) Part B – Local Community and Learning ( Use Class F1 / Use Class F2 )

Page Updated: 30th November 2023

Use Classes C3 - Planning Permission

C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child.

C3(b): up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems.

C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household. This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger.

Approved: use of property as C3(b) household with care and C3(a) flat in Bournemouth

BCP Council (Bournemouth):   Darryl Howells, a director of Pure Town Planning has secured a Certificate of Lawfulness for a Proposed Use or Development (CLOPUD) for the use of a property in Parkwood Road in part, as a single self-contained flat (C3(a)); and for the occupation of the main household by no more than six residents living together as a single household where care is provided for residents (Use Class C3(b)).

A Certificate of Lawfulness is a legal document that confirms that a proposed development is lawful having regard to legislation, not adopted planning policies which are open to subjective interpretation.  The uniqueness of this particular CLOPUD was that Darryl persuaded the Local Planning Authority to issue the Certificate for 2 separate uses, whereas doing so would not normally be usual practice of the Authority. The single Certificate was needed by the client for financing purposes.

The nature of the proposal was to provide residents who suffer from autism, the opportunity to live independent lives within a safe environment, knowing their support structure would be close at hand if needed – hence the need for an element of care in a dwelling. As the Certificate was sought to assist a specific group within our society that needed our help, Darryl handled the application and negotiations with the planning officer at a heavily discounted rate (below cost). Sometimes it is more important to act for the wider good and where appropriate Pure Town Planning are happy to support the local community.

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Explained: change of use and use classes, our planners run through the ins and outs of 'use classes' and how you can apply for a 'change of use' when it comes to creating a dream renovation..

When facing the nitty gritty world of planning legislation, many homeowners can find themselves becoming lost in the jargon. No more so than with Use Classes.

Use classes are categories used by local authorities to define what purpose, and what best practices, a building should have. You’ll most likely encounter this area of planning if you’re converting a detached garage into an annex, or if you plan on converting a church or shop into a new home.

Let’s dive a little deeper into this admin world…

Types of Use Classes

In September 2020, several use classes were revoked, including Class A, B, and D, while other classifications were changed. The below breakdown of use classes is accurate as of January 2022.

If you have any questions about what use class your building might come under, you can book a free consultation with our team here.

• B2 General industrial - Buildings that have an industrial purpose (excluding incineration purposes, chemical treatment or landfill or hazardous waste)
• B8 Storage or distribution - this class also includes open air storage.
• C1 Hotels - Hotels, boarding and guest houses where no significant element of care is provided (excludes hostels)
• C2 Residential institutions - Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres
• C2A Secure Residential Institution - Use for a provision of secure residential accommodation, including use as a prison, young offenders institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or use as a military barracks

C3 Dwellinghouses - This class is formed of three parts

• C3(a) covers use by a single person or a family (a couple whether married or not, a person related to one another with members of the family of one of the couple to be treated as members of the family of the other), an employer and certain domestic employees (such as an au pair, nanny, nurse, governess, servant, chauffeur, gardener, secretary and personal assistant), a carer and the person receiving the care and a foster parent and foster child
• C3(b) covers up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care e.g. supported housing schemes such as those for people with learning disabilities or mental health problems
• C3(c) allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household. This allows for those groupings that do not fall within the C4 HMO definition, but which fell within the previous C3 use class, to be provided for i.e. a small religious community may fall into this section as could a homeowner who is living with a lodger
• C4 Houses in multiple occupation - Small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Class E - Commercial, Business and Service

• E(a) Display or retail sale of goods, other than hot food
• E(b) Sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises
• E(c) Provision of E(c)(i) financial services; E(c)(ii) professional services (other than health or medical services); or E(c)(iii) other appropriate services in a commercial, business or service locality
• E(d) Indoor sport, recreation or fitness (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms or use as a swimming pool or skating rink,)
• E(e) Provision of medical or health services (except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner)
• E(f) Creche, day nursery or day centre (not including a residential use)
• E(g) Uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity, including: E(g)(i) offices to carry out any operational or administrative functions; E(g)(ii) research and development of products or processes; E(g)(iii) Industrial processes

Class F - Local Community and Learning

F1 Learning and non-residential institutions – Use (not including residential use) defined in 7 parts:

• F1(a) Provision of education
• F1(b) Display of works of art (otherwise than for sale or hire)
• F1(c) Museums
• F1(d) Public libraries or public reading rooms
• F1(e) Public halls or exhibition halls
• F1(f) Public worship or religious instruction (or in connection with such use)
• F1(g) Law courts

F2 Local community – Use as defined in 4 parts:

• F2(a) Shops (mostly) selling essential goods, including food, where the shop’s premises do not exceed 280 square metres and there is no other such facility within 1000 metres
• F2(b) Halls or meeting places for the principal use of the local community
• F2(c) Areas or places for outdoor sport or recreation (not involving motorised vehicles or firearms)
• F2(d) Indoor or outdoor swimming pools or skating rinks

Sui Generis

Literally translating to ‘in a class of its own’, the buildings in this categorically sit outside of any given use class. Each one comes with its own rules and regulations, so if your building sits in this list, you’ll need a little extra guidance to make sure you select the correct planning route.

Sui Generis buildings include…

• amusement arcades/centres or funfairs
• launderettes
• fuel stations
• hiring, selling and/or displaying motor vehicles
• taxi businesses
• scrap yards, or a yard for the storage/distribution of minerals and/or the breaking of motor vehicles
• ‘alkali work’ (any work registerable under the alkali, etc. works regulation act 1906 (as amended))
• hostels (providing no significant element of care)
• waste disposal installations for the incineration, chemical treatment or landfill of hazardous waste
• retail warehouse clubs
• betting offices/shops
• pay day loan shops
• public houses, wine bars, or drinking establishments
• drinking establishments with expanded food provision
• hot food takeaways (for the sale of hot food where consumption of that food is mostly undertaken off the premises)
• venues for live music performance
• concert halls
• bingo halls
• dance halls

Rules to consider

Now there are some rules to help homeowners sitting on a home that’s not in the correct use class. In no way should these be used as a sneaky way to avoid planning permission, but can prove helpful if you’ve inadvertently bought a home that’s suffered from bad planning in the past.

The four year rule

This applies to a property that has been converted into a single dwelling house, but the change of use occurred more than four years ago. If this is the case, the change of use becomes legal and is immune from enforcement action.

However, if there is evidence that you deliberately concealed your development from your local authority, this rule might not apply. For this reason, it’s best to get expert legal advice.

The ten year rule

Similar to the four year rule, but it applies to everything that isn’t a single dwelling house. For example, if you ran a beauty salon from your garage, this would be subject to this rule, if proper planning hadn’t already been obtained.

Again, this rule can be made void, if you’re found guilty of deliberate deception.

Do I need to apply for a change of use class?

Not all changes of use require a full planning application, some will come under permitted development rights. Those that are classed as permitted development will either require prior approval or you’ll need to apply for a lawful development certificate. Whichever route you choose, we always recommend you either consult an architect or your local authority. The rules are complex and many buildings have their own unique requirements, so you really need that expert guidance!

One of the most common projects we encounter - as a home improvement platform - is the desire to convert a commercial building into a new home (technically called a C3 ‘dwelling house’).

If this applies to you, here is a list of commercial properties that you may be able to convert under permitted development.

• Any building in Class E, such as retail shops, restaurants, fitness centres, nurseries, and offices.
• Agricultural buildings
• Amusement centres
• Betting offices
• Takeaway shops
• Launderettes
• Payday loan shops

Learn more: converting commercial buildings to residential

How to apply for change of use class?

Applying for a change of use involves going through your local planning authority. You’ll either need to undergo…

• A full planning application
• Prior approval
• Obtaining a lawful development certificate

Which route you go down will depend on the current use class, what use class you want to switch to, and your location. For example, you’ll need to find out if the land or the building itself are designated/protected. Local authorities can also block permitted development rights in certain areas.

In order to be successful, a planning package should include:

• Existing and proposed floor plans, elevations along with block and site location plans
• Supporting documentation, including certification of ownership and a design and access statement
• Completed planning application form, including change of use forms

Want to make sure you secure permission the first time round? Getting an architect to act as your planning agent gives you the best chance of early success. Not only will they have dealt with hundreds of similar projects, and so know the forms inside out, they’ll also be able to liaise with your local authority and make ad hoc changes - should they be required.

Use classes still got you scratching your head? We offer free consultations to all homeowners, with our experts happy to answer any burning questions you might have. Book yours today.

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Home  >  FAQ's  >  What is Class C Planning Usage?

What is Class C Planning Usage?

Use class c - accomodation.

C1 – Hotels and Hostels Class C1 is use as a hotel, boarding or guest house or as a hostel where, in each case, no significant element of care is provided.

C2 – Residential Institutions Class C2 is use as provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care (other than a use within class C3 - dwelling houses). * a hospital or nursing home * a residential school, college or training centre

C2A – Secure Residential Institutions Class C2A is use as: Prison, Young Offenders Institution, Detention Centre, Secure training centre, custody centre, short term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation, military barracks

C3 – Houses, Flats, Apartments Class C3 is use as a dwelling house (whether or not as a sole or main residence) * by a single person or by people living together as a family, or * by not more than 6 residents living together as a single household (including a household where care is provided for residents).

C4 – HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Class C4 is use as for small shared dwelling houses occupied by between 3-6 unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Do you require assistance with your Change of Use or Conversion? We are here to help! Please get in touch to discuss.

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