How can I find out the class of use a property is under???
Discussion
Basically, is there any database where I can search for the address and then find out what class of use the property falls under. By class of use I mean the following: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en...
Or is there a council department that I can contact and be able to find out the relevant information I'm looking for.
The closest I have got is through searching for business rates, I can find a rough description of what the business/property is, but this doesn't always give an accurate code for the use that I need.
Thanx
Or is there a council department that I can contact and be able to find out the relevant information I'm looking for.
The closest I have got is through searching for business rates, I can find a rough description of what the business/property is, but this doesn't always give an accurate code for the use that I need.
Thanx
I'm just trying to get my head round how some business's are operating in properties which are the totally wrong classes of use. I know they might have sucessfully applied for a change of use, but after speaking to various people from the local planning department, the overall response I got was that they don't allow change of use like this anymore because of their local policy to restrict these developments. After some digging I also found city reports on planning development which justified this.
However, I still see these sorts of business's popping up out of blue and also in areas where they probably have no justification for another business of that sort being here, hence why I'm trying to find out if their operating legally, and if they are, how they were able to gain the relevant correct licenses.
(PS. I don't fully understand the change of use application process, but I've heard that if a local council rejects a change of use application, then if the landlord chooses to reapply, it goes beyond the local council to some national planning department.)(Also, part of me thinks that there may be some cash for favours sort of play going on.)
However, I still see these sorts of business's popping up out of blue and also in areas where they probably have no justification for another business of that sort being here, hence why I'm trying to find out if their operating legally, and if they are, how they were able to gain the relevant correct licenses.
(PS. I don't fully understand the change of use application process, but I've heard that if a local council rejects a change of use application, then if the landlord chooses to reapply, it goes beyond the local council to some national planning department.)(Also, part of me thinks that there may be some cash for favours sort of play going on.)
You can apply for change of use. Whilst Councils may seek to resist these, some get it- (my line of work).
Others may be operating 'ilegally', many not even realsing and in many cases its a grey area anyway. For example, when does a B1 property change to a B2 use? The company occupying a unit changing its business slightly could technically result in a change of use but would be unlikely to apply for permission. Its normally complaints to the Council enforcement officer that picks these up.
If the Council do refuse applcaitions they can be appealed to the planning inspectorate (national level). Decisions are sometimes overturned, quite often because the local political element is removed, the classic 'not in my back yard' effect.
Others may be operating 'ilegally', many not even realsing and in many cases its a grey area anyway. For example, when does a B1 property change to a B2 use? The company occupying a unit changing its business slightly could technically result in a change of use but would be unlikely to apply for permission. Its normally complaints to the Council enforcement officer that picks these up.
If the Council do refuse applcaitions they can be appealed to the planning inspectorate (national level). Decisions are sometimes overturned, quite often because the local political element is removed, the classic 'not in my back yard' effect.
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