EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (“the General Permitted Development Order”) (S.I. 2015/596). It implements the duty set out in section 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017.
Article 3 removes permitted development rights allowing the change of use of a building falling within Class A4 (drinking establishment) of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (use Classes) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/764) to a building within Classes A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services), and A3 (restaurants and cafes) and to a temporary flexible use or a state-funded school for up to 2 academic years.
Article 3 also introduces a new permitted development right allowing change of use of a building falling within Class A4 (drinking establishments) to a use within Class A4 with a use falling within Class A3 (restaurants and cafes), or from those uses to a use falling within Class A4.
Article 4 removes permitted development rights allowing for the demolition of buildings used for a purpose within Class A4 (drinking establishments).
Article 5 makes transitional provisions for cases where, following a request for confirmation from the local planning authority as to whether the building has been nominated or listed as an asset of community value (as defined in paragraphs A.3 of Part 3, C.3 of Part 4 or B.3 of Part 11 of Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order, before amendment by this Order), development may begin in accordance with those provisions. The effect is that planning permission in these cases is saved (where the drinking establishment is not nominated or listed) where such a request has been made more than 56 days before 23rd May 2017. In the case of demolition, prior approval must also have been granted, determined not required or deemed granted before 23rd May 2017. This article also postpones by 18 months the application of the new right introduced by article 3, for a building which falls within the scope of a direction under article 4 withdrawing permission to change use from a use falling within Class A4 (drinking establishments) to a use falling within Class A3 (restaurants and cafes).
An impact assessment will be available at www.legislation.gov.uk, or copies may be inspected at the Planning Directorate, Department for Communities and Local Government, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.