Class E — Commercial, Business and Service
Class E is a broad commercial category introduced in 2020, consolidating what were previously separate use classes (A1, A2, A3, B1). It covers shops, financial services, cafés, restaurants (not takeaways), offices, light industrial, gyms, health centres, and crèches. The consolidation allows flexible switching between these uses without planning permission.
Examples of Class E Uses
Shops and retail |
Financial and professional services (e.g. banks, estate agents) |
Cafés and restaurants (eat-in) |
Offices |
Light industrial (not affecting amenity) |
Gyms and health clubs |
Health centres and clinics |
Crèches and day nurseries |
Change of Use Rules
Changes within Class E do not need planning permission — a shop can become an office without consent.
Change from Class E to residential (Class C3) may be possible via prior approval (Class MA permitted development right).
Change to sui generis (e.g. takeaway, pub) requires full planning permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need to make a change of use application?
Find out what you need to submit and how much it costs.
Other Use Classes
Learning and Non-Residential Institutions
Class F.2Local Community Use
Class C1Hotels
Class C2Residential Institutions
Class C3Dwellinghouses
Class C4Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)