Global economic fluctuations mean that many businesses seek to change the use of an existing property to a more financially viable use.
Three common changes of use are:
- Residential houses into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)
- Shops to takeaways
- Business/industrial premises to recreational use e.g. gyms, yoga, nurseries.
In some cases, change of use may be undertaken as permitted development under “The Use Classes Order” but must meet stringent criteria, however many automatically require a full planning application. Councils often have specific additional policy documents to control the development of certain types of change of use, often based upon community opinion and local development strategy. It is important that these types of applications are handled sensitively, and the policies interpreted correctly.
The Planning Group Limited has an impressive track record in obtaining consent for commercial projects such as CrossFit Gymnasiums and Houses in Multiple Occupation. We have obtained approvals for both small and large (47 bedrooms) HMO’s/Student Accommodation schemes nationwide.
We also work in conjunction with The Licensing Guys Ltd (TLGs) who are specialists in obtaining alcohol licenses for all types of establishments i.e. shops, restaurants, public houses, takeaways etc. Often when The Licensing Guys are commissioned to obtain licenses the clients require a change of use planning consent or an extension of their trading hours, TLG then refer their clients to The Planning Group Ltd who procure the correct consents, work hand in hand with TLGs to allow new business startups and/or existing operators expand/vary their business models. www.thelicensingguys.com
