Class Sui Generis — Pub and Drinking Establishment
Pubs, wine bars, and other drinking establishments are Sui Generis uses following the September 2020 planning reforms. They were formerly in Class A4. Their Sui Generis status means planning permission is required for any new pub or any change of use to or from a pub, giving communities and planning authorities greater ability to resist the loss of pubs as social assets. Many pubs are also listed as Assets of Community Value (ACVs) under the Localism Act 2011.
Examples of Class Sui Generis Uses
Traditional public houses |
Wine bars and cocktail bars |
Micropubs and craft beer bars |
Social clubs open to the public |
Bars that are a standalone primary use |
Change of Use Rules
Any change of use from a pub (Sui Generis) to another use requires full planning permission.
Change from pub to Class E (shop, office, café) requires planning permission — the loss of the pub is a material consideration.
Change from pub to C3 (residential) requires planning permission and is often resisted by councils applying pub protection policies.
Change from Class E or any other use to a pub requires full planning permission.
Where a pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value, the community has a 6-month moratorium to raise funds to bid when it comes up for sale.
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
Commercial, Business and Service
Class F.1Learning and Non-Residential Institutions
Class F.2Local Community Use
Class C1Hotels
Class C2Residential Institutions
Class C3Dwellinghouses