Class MA using PD
Office to Residential under PD (Permitted Development Rights)
Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in England are a set of planning permissions that allow certain types of building work or changes to be carried out without the need to apply for formal planning permission from the local authority. These rights are granted automatically by national legislation, streamlining the process for homeowners, developers, and businesses to make specific alterations or changes.
Key points of Permitted Development Rights include:
- Home Extensions: Homeowners can extend their property within certain limits, such as single-story rear extensions up to a specific size, loft conversions, and adding outbuildings like sheds or garages, provided they meet the criteria.
- Change of Use: Some changes in the use of a building or land can be made without needing full planning permission. For example, under Class MA, properties in Use Class E (such as shops, offices, and restaurants) can be converted to residential use under certain conditions.
- Commercial to Residential: PDR allows for the conversion of offices, retail units, and other commercial spaces into residential units, often used to help address housing shortages.
- Agricultural Buildings: Certain agricultural buildings can be converted to residential or commercial use under permitted development rights, subject to restrictions.
- Limitations and Conditions: While PDR allows for flexibility, there are limitations. In protected areas like conservation areas, ANOB/ national parks and listed buildings. Local authorities can also remove PDR through an Article 4 Direction, meaning formal planning permission must be obtained.
Overall, Permitted Development Rights simplify the planning process for specific types of developments, but it's important to ensure compliance with the rules and any local restrictions that may apply.
What is Class MA?
This change of use applies to any building within the following categories - shops, financial and professional services, restaurants and cafes, offices, light industrial, medical or health services, daycare centers, nurseries, indoor sports facilities, or any other activity classified under Use Class E. Conversions under Class MA must exclusively be for residential purposes and cannot be transformed into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation).
Timeframe – Once you have notified the local authority, they have 56 days/8 weeks to reply. Should they not respond with a reason why your development cannot go ahead then PDR is assumed and works can commence.
The councils will consider – transport, contamination, flooding, noise & light
There are NO limitations on the size of the building. In early 2024 the Government announced that the previous limit of 1,500 sq metres and the requirement for it to be vacant for 3 months before submission have been scrapped.