WHAT IS CLASS A3 PLANNING USE?

WHAT IS CLASS A3 PLANNING USEAGE? 

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO CHANGE TO OR FROM CLASS A3 USE?

Our FAQ Series answers some of the most commonly searched for queries across TownPlanning.info.

Today we take a look at the planning use class that once covered various forms of premises used for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises or of hot food for consumption off the premises – the A3 class use.  

SPOILER ALERT: A3-CLASS PREMISES ARE NOW EXTINCT IN ENGLAND …

In September 2020 changes to the Planning Use Classes Order were made that abolished the A3 Class definition for uses of land and buildings across England.

Class A3 joined business class B1 along with health and assembly uses D1 and D2 in a newly created Class E – Commercial, Business and Service.

Other similar uses under Classes A4 and A5 became sui generis (i.e. not falling within any of the specified use classes).

Interim arrangements were put in place to allow permitted development rights to continue to 31^st July 2021, but after that date – the A classes were no more.

THE OLD CLASS A3 USES – FOOD AND DRINK

So what were the old A3-class uses before they were subsumed or split into other Classes in 2020? The following explains.

USE CLASS A3 – FOOD AND DRINK

Planning Use Class A3 included restaurants and cafes.

Other similar planning use classes included:  

USE CLASS A4 – PUBS AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS

Planning Use Class A4 includes pubs and drinking establishments.

USE CLASS A5 – HOT FOOD TAKEAWAY

Planning Use Class A5 included hot food takeaways.

MORE INFO ON PLANNING USE CLASSES

For more information on the current planning use classes, when planning permission is needed and the ‘prior approval’ process, see our Guide to Planning Change of Use and the Use Classes Order.

Guide is correct at time of writing in April 2022 and is intended for initial reference 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).