All current Use Class options supported in latest updates 

The final part of our work to cover off all current Use Classes in England is now complete and will be implemented on the site after close of business on Thursday 16 November 2023.

This covers two main areas: 

1. Subdivided options for Use Class E – Commercial, Business, and Service 

In all relevant questions, you will see the current single option for Use Class E replaced by options for all the separate sub-divisions of Use Class E as per current legislation. 

• E(a) – Display/Sale of goods other than hot food 
• E(b) – Sale of food and drink for consumption mostly on the premises 
• E(c)(i) – Financial services 
• E(c)(ii) – Professional services 
• E(c)(iii) – Other appropriate services in a commercial, business or service locality 
• E(d) – Indoor sport, recreation, or fitness – Excluding motorised vehicles, firearms, swimming, and skating 
• E(e) – Medical or health services – Except premises attached to the residence of the provider 
• E(f) – Creche, day nursery or day centre – Except where including a residential use 
• E(g)(i) – Offices – Except where not suitable in a residential area 
• E(g)(ii) – Research and development – Except where not suitable in a residential area 
• E(g)(iii) – Industrial processes – Except where not suitable in a residential area 

This allows better identification of the proposed use and, where relevant, better ability to represent how multiple different uses under Use Class E will occur. 

This level of detail used to be provided by the separate Use Class A, B, and D options that were superseded by the introduction of Use Class E. 

An ‘Other’ option will still be available to use as required. 

2. Update to ‘Non-residential floorspace’ question 

This question is now being updated. The issue that previously prevented this has been resolved.  

You will see all current Use Class options represented in the question (including the subdivided Use Class E as per above) and enhanced logic around the need to provide additional details for ‘Net Tradable Area’ and ‘Loss/Gain of Rooms’ if floorspace values for relevant uses are added. 

This will better ensure that details are provided where relevant. 

The question content will also better indicate the calculations the system makes based on the values entered. 

These calculations were confirmed as correct by DLUHC after we received feedback around them. This has been a long-standing issue with the question, as the calculations are different to the similar question asked when providing information in the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) form. 

We have discussed this discrepancy with DLUHC and are looking to have them resolve it as part of their overall review of the CIL form requirements that is currently underway. 

What this means for applicants and agents 

Draft applications – We recommend that any previously selected Use Classes in draft applications are reviewed prior to submission to ensure they best represent the current/proposed uses. 

Where more information has been made mandatory, questions may need additional detail entered (or confirmation the detail is not relevant) to allow the application to be completed and submitted. 

Submitted applications – Please be assured that any details already submitted to a Local Planning Authority will not change as the result of our work. 

If you have submitted applications that contained the single Use Class E option we are removing, you may see it referred to as just ‘E’ in the online forms. 

Amendments – If you are amending an application, then we recommend that the original Use Classes selections are not updated, unless they are the reason the amendment is being made. 

Copying applications – If you are copying an application, then the advice for draft applications above should be followed once the copy has been created to ensure its details are correct. 

What this means for Local Planning Authorities 

Once the changes are made, users will be able to select the updated Use Class options and provide relevant details related to them. 

Depending on which version of our data standard your IT supplier is using to process applications into your systems, and how much of the application data it utilises, you will either: 

• See these Use Class options show up directly in your systems; or 
• See them appear as ‘Other’ entries (as would currently be the case); or 
• Need to continue to obtain such details from the generated PDF application form. 

We have provided technical details of the changes we are making to all existing IT suppliers. They should be able to confirm how your system is setup and what you should expect to see. 

Please note: For details of the ‘Net tradable area’ floorspace for retail Use Classes, you will always need to check the PDF generated application forms as this information will not be available in the legacy XML data (but will be in our JSON data standard going forward). 

If you have any queries, please contact our service desk.