WHAT IS CLASS F PLANNING USE?

WHAT IS CLASS F PLANNING USEAGE? 

DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO CHANGE TO OR FROM CLASS F 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 cover various types of public building including schools, places of worship and community buildings – the new F1 and F2 Class planning uses. 

If you want to go straight to what the new classes F1 and F2 are, scroll down to the bottom of the article.  

For more information on 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.  

FIRST, A BIT OF BACKGROUND … SEPT 2020 CHANGES TO USE CLASSES

THE NEW CLASSES: E, F1 and F2 AND ABOLITION OF CLASSES A, B1 and D

Several new planning use classes were introduced in England on 1st September 2020.  These consolidated and replaced some former classes of use including the old A class, B1 class and D classes.  These changes are summarised below.   

A new wide-ranging planning Class E was created.  This comprises a range of uses in an attempt to cater for buildings that may be in several different uses concurrently or be used for different uses at different times of the day. 

A new Class F1 brings learning and non-residential buildings within the same class, whilst F2 provides new rules for local community uses. 

SUMMARY OF THE SEPT 2020 CHANGES

FORMER CLASS A1 – Shops

Shops, retail warehouses, post offices, ticket and travel agents, hairdressers, funeral directors and undertakers, domestic hire shops, dry cleaners, sandwich bars – sandwiches or other cold food purchased and consumed off the premises, internet cafes.

Now split between Classes E and F2

FORMER CLASS A2 – Financial and Professional Services

Financial services including banks, building societies and bureau de change, professional services excluding health or medical services, estate agents and employment agencies, other services including betting offices, principally where services are provided to visiting members of the public.

Now split between Class E and sui generis

FORMER CLASS A3 – Restaurants and Cafes

Restaurants, snack bars and cafes. Use for the sale of food for consumption on the premises.

Now Class E

FORMER CLASS A4 – Pub or Drinking Establishment

Now sui generis

FORMER CLASS A5 – Hot Food Takeaway

Now sui generis

FORMER CLASS B1 – Business: including Offices

B1 (a): Offices other than in a use within class A2

B1 (b): Research and development – laboratories, studios.

B1 (c): Light industrial.

Now Class E

FORMER CLASS 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 courts. Non- residential education and training centres.  

Now split between Class E and F1

FORMER CLASS D2 – Assembly and Leisure

Cinemas, music and concert halls, bingo and dance halls (not nightclubs), swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums or areas for indoor or outdoor sports and recreations (except for motor sports, or where firearms used).  

Now split between Class E and F1

So what are the new F uses? … 

THE NEW USE CLASS F1

Class F1 is use for learning and non-residential institutions

F1 (a)  Provision of education

F1 (b)  Display of works of art other than for sale or hire

F1 (c)  Museums

F1 (d)  Public libraries or reading rooms

F1 (e)  Public halls or exhibition halls

F1 (f)  Public worship or religious instruction

F1 (g)  Law courts

NEW USE CLASS F2 

Class F2 is for local community uses

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

This guide is correct at the time of writing in Sept 202 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).