England Use Classes Order • Commercial
Use E: Class E (Commercial, Business and Service)
Broad commercial class created in September 2020, consolidating former A1, A2, A3, B1, D1(a-b), and parts of D2 into one flexible class.
Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.
Jurisdiction and source
This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different use-class and permitted-development rules. A use class is not permission for building works or proof that a change is lawful at a particular site.
Use Classes Order — current legislation
Scope of source check
England Class MA: current consolidated text and the 2024 removal of the area and vacancy tests checked. This does not establish eligibility for any building. Checked 2026-09-11.
Examples
- E(a) Shops, retail sale of goods
- E(b) Cafes and restaurants
- E(c) Financial and professional services
- E(d) Indoor sport, gym
- E(e) Medical or health services
- E(f) Creche, day nursery
- E(g)(i) Offices
- E(g)(ii) Research and development
- E(g)(iii) Light industrial
Potential change-of-use routes
| Change to | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Class C3 (dwellinghouses) | Potential Class MA route in England, subject to prior approval, qualifying use for at least 2 continuous years, exclusions and site restrictions. The former 1,500 m² cap and 3-month vacancy test were removed on 5 March 2024; there is no general 1 March 2014 building-age test in Class MA. |
Permission and prior-approval checks
Class MA prior approval for E to C3 (residential)
Design notes
A use change wholly within Class E generally is not development, but conditions and separate works can change the position. Class MA prior-approval matters include transport, contamination, flood risk, commercial noise and natural light; conservation-area, service-loss and fire-safety conditions can also apply. Check Article 4 directions and the full statutory conditions.
Policy reference
Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, as amended by The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/757)
Questions
What is Use Class E?
Broad commercial class created in September 2020, consolidating former A1, A2, A3, B1, D1(a-b), and parts of D2 into one flexible class.
Can I change use without planning permission from Class E?
This summary lists the following potential changes: Class C3 (dwellinghouses): Potential Class MA route in England, subject to prior approval, qualifying use for at least 2 continuous years, exclusions and site restrictions. The former 1,500 m² cap and 3-month vacancy test were removed on 5 March 2024; there is no general 1 March 2014 building-age test in Class MA.. Check current rules and site-specific restrictions before relying on a right.
Check use class against your site
Explore available planning constraints for the address, then verify the applicable use class and any restrictions with the planning authority.
Explore planning constraintsReview current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.
Related
Use F.1: Class F.1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institutions)
Community
Use F.2: Class F.2 (Local Community)
Community
Use C1: Class C1 (Hotels)
Residential
Use C2: Class C2 (Residential Institutions)
Residential
Use C2A: Class C2A (Secure Residential Institutions)
Residential
Use C3: Class C3 (Dwellinghouses)
Residential