Has anyone got commercial building change of use planning?

RE: Has anyone got commercial building change of use planning?

Jill Butterworth — Sat, 13 May 2023 19:55:17 GMT

I've done it too, when it was sui generis, converting a shop in a residential neighbourhood. Check how much parking they want. I think 4 spaces per consult room, or a nearby carpark.. I did the whole thing myself with tons of research. I had a really good relationship with the planning officer and met up with the environmental health officer too. I agreed to put in a sound proof kennel for recovery and made the case that sick animals are quiet for the most part. I met the people upstairs and gave them discounted pet care. i was massively respectful so as to avoid complaints. Regular poop patrol. We were between food shops so made a good case that we were a medical facility and very concerned with hygiene. I took the lease subject to planning, but with solicitors conveyancing, the whole thing was slow so it didn't make a massive difference. You are likely to need Building Control drawings too, which can be very slow. It could be run in tandem, or you could wait and risk a Building Notice, but take advice from your architect.

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 07 May 2023 19:57:25 GMT

You don't need to own the building to get planning on it. We put in our offer subject to granting of change of use. Even in a national park from one business use to another was straightforward.

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

Sam — Sat, 06 May 2023 13:31:29 GMT

Sorry to turbo post but if you do go for planning a couple of tips!

One of the common objections is noise from barking dogs. It can help to call the kennel area a “recovery area”; dogs recovering from anaesthesia, sick dogs etc. I learned this from a colleague who had a successful application and it certainly helped us.

Smells, excrement around the building etc are other common objections to planning. Have a strong argument around how this will be prevented.

Traffic is another reason for many objections so have a think about that too.

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

Sam — Sat, 06 May 2023 13:21:29 GMT

I have been through this process twice, although not recently.

Perhaps things have changed, but it in the past it was possible to have a free meeting with a planning officer prior to application in order to get an idea of what might be allowed. This was useful and also established a working relationship with the planning officer who was most likely to be dealing with the formal application.

I think it might also be possible to get a kind of interim permission. Which is not full planning permission but gives some kind of formal indication?

My understanding is that it is possible to apply for full permission even if the building is not yours yet. However, that might carry its own level of risk.

Good luck.

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

George Pate — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:20:13 GMT

I did it about 20 years ago. As Niall said, personal relationships help. We were originally refused but one of our clients was a planner in the local office and was able to advise what the issues were.

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

Andrew Mellor — Fri, 05 May 2023 13:05:51 GMT

So sorry to here that. Our council are difficult at the best of times so maybe I will keep looking.

I presume you had not purchased the building and the sale fell through because you could not get change of use?

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

Rob Loxley — Fri, 05 May 2023 12:55:47 GMT

I took through change of use from residential to mixed business/residential and it was a long painful process, but ultimately successful. I guess success depend on what you're going from and too. By the by there was a major shakeup of business planning use classes in 2020 so make sure you're aware of what the current category currently is, and therefore whether you actually need planning if it's already the new Class E

RE: Commercial building change of use planning

niall morton — Fri, 05 May 2023 12:40:24 GMT

Hi Andrew, we've just been through it unsuccessfully (Scotland). I think the architect's relationship with council is key to guidance but in our situation is was a green light until the last moment when they said no. An expensive process to get nowhere.

I believe England is very different to Scotland but I think planning is like unpredictable and depends on individual council priorities at the time of application.

i hope it goes well for you