Class of use question - council wont tell me!

[voicey]

In my seemingly ever ending search for premises, I have found somewhere that I really like. The agent couldn't confirm the class of use at the viewing so I thought I'd call the planning department. They told me that they couldn't accept such requests over the phone and I would have to email it in. Fair enough, I pinged them an email and got this reply...

Planning Dept said:

In these cases the Estate Agents marketing of a commercial property usually covers the use class sufficiently. It is not the Councils procedure to informally advise you of the current Lawful Use Class and in order for us to be able to sustain our service the Council has altered its approach to the provision of such advice. If you require a formal decision as to whether the proposed use is covered by the current Use Class of the property, you should now apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed Use/Development). We have a statutory requirement to determine your application within 8 weeks but it is our aim to provide you with a decision much earlier.

I found it astonishing that they wouldn't just tell me what the current class of use is - surely this is public information! Furthermore they want me to rely on the agent!

Is this normal? I searched the planning register but the only things listed for the this property were for alterations to the building. I cannot find what class it currently has.

Does anyone have any advice on how I should proceed? If I applied for a Certificate of Lawfulness and the class wasn't correct then wouldn't I have to apply for a Change of Use? This could take ages!

Cheers...

[voicey]

PurpleMoonlight said:

What's the charge for the Certificate then?

Looks to be £385.

[voicey]

covmutley said:

The issue is that they don't know what the use is. There is no register as such.

Firstly, thank you for your reply. This surprises me and at the same time I'm not surprised!

covmutley said:

They would have to research it and also visit the site to investigate how it is being used before they can tell you properly. Hence the fee.

Understood.

covmutley said:

Why do you need to know the use? Is it not clear?

I am looking for premises to operate a car workshop/sales site which I understand to fall under B2. The premises have previously been occupied by one company since it was built (they own the unit). My guess is that their activity could fall under B1 or B2.

Also looking at the previous planning applications, there appears to be restrictions on the times the premises can be in use as there has been an application to vary the times (which was withdrawn). I asked the council about the use class and any restrictions. I'm happy with the times a sit would force me to go home and take time off on Sundays.

The unit is for sale so I don't want to spunk all my cash on it and then find out I can't use it!

[voicey]

surveyor said:

Offer 'Subject to Planning Approval' Not unusual

Thanks.

One more question - what sort of professional should I be engaging to help with the planning application?