New Planning Laws: Changing a buildings use. HELP!!!
Hello all. I’ve been following this website for a while now but this is my first post. be kind…..
I’m born and bred Hackney-ite and could not think of living (and working) anywhere else, which is why I want to set-up my business here.
I am just wondering if there is knowledge out there about planning regulations that were created about a year ago about retaining retail shops (A1 planning use to be very boring) and not allowing them to change their use. I am in the process of opening a bar/cafe (yes another one!!) in Hackney and all the commercial property I am looking at has A1 use and not A3 or A4 as I need (finding a property that has this use is like gold dust I tell you…). According to the council I cannot change these properties use away from simply retail and wondered if any of you out there had had similar experiences with this, or could point me in the direction of someone who had……. to offer me advice.
I’m actually thinking of taking my business to Leyton, or Tottenham, just to avoid this, but I love it here and don’t really want to go….
Any help, or pointers gratefully received.
upwithpeople
Under the planning rules changes you can change an a1 use shop unit to a3 cafe use for a period of up to 2 years. You just need to notify the planning dept before you start the use. You’d also potentially have to apply for full permission at the end of two years. You might need to apply for permission for any alterations to the shopfront though.