7 Steps to Apply for Commercial Change of Use

Table of Contents

• What Is a Change of Use and Why You Need Planning Permission
• Step 1: Check Your Property's Current Use Class
• Step 2: Determine Whether Your Change Requires Planning Permission
• Step 3: Prepare Your Supporting Documentation and Design Plans
• Step 4: Submit Your Change of Use Planning Application
• How Long Does Change of Use Planning Permission Take
• Understanding Change of Use Planning Application Cost
• Step 5: Respond to Council Requests and Manage the Assessment
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 27, 2026

What Is a Change of Use and Why You Need Planning Permission

A change of use means converting a property from one purpose to another. This might be turning a residential home into office space, converting a shop into a café, or changing an industrial building into residential flats. Each shift requires formal approval from your local planning authority.

Planning permission exists to manage how land and buildings function within communities. Without it, neighbourhoods could become chaotic. A factory could open next to schools. A nightclub could operate above family homes. The planning system protects everyone's interests by controlling what happens where.

Most changes of use require planning permission. Some don't. That's the first critical distinction. Get this wrong and you risk enforcement action, fines, or being forced to reverse your work. This guide walks you through the 7 steps to apply for commercial change of use properly, so you avoid costly mistakes.

Step 1: Check Your Property's Current Use Class

Before you apply, you need to know what your property currently is, officially. The planning system sorts all buildings into use classes. Each class groups similar activities together.

Common use classes include:

• Class E, Commercial, business, and service uses (shops, offices, restaurants, professional services)
• Class F, Learning and non-residential institutions (schools, libraries, museums)
• Class C, Residential uses (homes, flats, houses in multiple occupation)
• Class B, Industrial and storage uses (warehouses, factories, distribution centres)
• Class A, Sui generis uses (casinos, nightclubs, laundries, scrapyards)

Find your property's current class on your Local Authority's planning register or ask your council directly. Many councils have searchable online databases. Search by postcode or address. You'll find the classification listed under "use class" or "permitted use."

If your property has been used for one purpose for more than ten years without formal permission, it may have acquired "lawful use" under that classification, even if the original permission said something else. This matters because it affects what you can legally do next.

Write down your current use class. You'll need it for your application.

Step 2: Determine Whether Your Change Requires Planning Permission

Not every change of use needs planning permission. Some conversions fall under Permitted Development Rights. These allow certain changes without an application.

For example, a shop might convert to an office under Permitted Development. A small office might convert to a café. But the rules are strict and specific. They vary by region and depend on your exact circumstances.

The safest approach is to contact your local planning authority and describe your intended change. Ask directly: "Does this change require planning permission?" Most councils answer this question free of charge within days.

Alternatively, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. This is a formal confirmation from the council that your proposed change doesn't need permission. It costs money but gives you certainty. If the council issues the certificate, you can proceed without a full planning application.

If your change does require permission, move to Step 3. If it doesn't, you may still need Building Regulation approval, which is separate from planning. Check with your local authority about this too.

Step 3: Prepare Your Supporting Documentation and Design Plans

Planning applications succeed or fail based on the quality of your supporting documents. This is where most applications stumble.

You'll need:

• Completed planning application form, Your council provides this. Fill every section. Incomplete forms get rejected and sent back.
• Site plan, A map showing your property's location and boundaries. Include surrounding buildings and roads. Scale it properly (usually 1:1250 or 1:500).
• Existing and proposed floor plans, Show current layout and what you're changing. Label rooms by use. Make dimensions clear.
• Elevation drawings, Show how the building looks from outside, before and after. Include any external changes.
• Design and Access Statement, Explain your proposal. Describe how it fits the area, why the change makes sense, and how you've considered access for disabled people.
• Supporting statement, Justify your change. If you're converting a shop to housing, explain why retail isn't viable. If you're adding a café to an office building, show there's demand.
• Photographs, Current photos of the property, inside and out. Show the condition and context.

Quality drawings matter enormously. Poor plans confuse planning officers and invite refusal. Professional drawings show you're serious and help officers visualise your proposal clearly.

At Solvers Architecture Ltd, we prepare these documents specifically to secure approval. We know what planning officers look for and structure drawings to address their concerns proactively.

Check your council's specific requirements. Some councils want extra documents. Some have local design guidance you must follow. Getting this wrong means resubmission delays.

Step 4: Submit Your Change of Use Planning Application

Once your documents are ready, submit your application to your local planning authority. Most councils accept applications online through their planning portal.

Here's what happens when you submit:

1. Validation, The council checks your application is complete. If anything is missing, they'll ask you to provide it. This can add weeks.
2. Publicity, The council publishes your application. Neighbours can view it and make comments. This usually lasts 21 days.
3. Assessment, A planning officer reviews your proposal against local policy, national guidance, and any objections received.
4. Decision, The officer either recommends approval, refusal, or asks for more information.

Keep your application reference number. Use it for all future correspondence. Pay the application fee (this varies by property size and type). The fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused.

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Submit everything together. Drip-feeding documents causes delays. The council won't start proper assessment until they consider your application complete.

How Long Does Change of Use Planning Permission Take

The statutory timeframe is 13 weeks from validation. That's the deadline councils are supposed to meet.

In practice, timescales vary widely. Some councils work faster. Others struggle with backlogs. Your local authority's performance record is public information, check their planning statistics online.

Factors that extend timescales:

• Incomplete applications, Resubmitting missing documents restarts the clock
• Objections, If neighbours object, the officer takes longer to assess
• Policy conflicts, If your proposal conflicts with local policy, the council may seek more information
• Committee referral, Controversial applications go to a planning committee, which adds 4-8 weeks
• Negotiations, You may need to modify your proposal to address concerns

Many applications complete within 13 weeks. Others take 6-9 months. A few take over a year, especially if refusal leads to appeal.

Start planning early. Don't assume 13 weeks. Build in buffer time.

Understanding Change of Use Planning Application Cost

Planning permission itself is free from government. Your local council charges an application fee based on property size and use type.

Fees vary by council. A typical change of use application for a small commercial property costs between £200 and £600. Larger properties or more complex changes cost more. Check your council's fee schedule online.

Beyond the council fee, you'll likely incur professional costs:

• Architectural drawings, Preparing professional plans costs money
• Planning consultancy, Hiring someone to manage your application adds expense
• Surveys or assessments, Some proposals require specialist reports

These professional fees vary widely depending on complexity. A simple conversion might need minimal professional input. A complex proposal involving multiple buildings or sensitive locations may require substantial investment.

The cost of refusal is far higher than the cost of getting it right initially. A refused application means starting over, resubmitting, waiting another 13 weeks, and paying the fee again.

Step 5: Respond to Council Requests and Manage the Assessment

During assessment, the planning officer may ask for more information. This is normal. They might want clarification on your drawings, additional supporting evidence, or modifications to your proposal.

Respond promptly. The clock stops when the council asks for information and restarts when you provide it. Slow responses extend your timeline significantly.

Common requests include:

• Amended drawings, Adjusting your proposal to address concerns
• Additional reports, Ecological surveys, transport assessments, or noise impact studies
• Neighbour liaison, Demonstrating you've consulted with affected parties
• Policy justification, Explaining how your proposal aligns with local planning policy

Work with your planning consultant or architect to prepare responses. Vague or inadequate replies trigger further requests and delays.

If the officer recommends refusal, you have options.