Class Sui Generis — Theatre, Cinema and Concert Hall
Theatres, cinemas, and concert halls are Sui Generis uses following the 2020 planning reforms that abolished the former Class D2. Any new development or change of use requires full planning permission. Planning authorities are generally reluctant to permit the loss of cultural venues, and many apply specific protection policies requiring evidence that a venue has been marketed and is no longer viable before approving redevelopment.
Examples of Class Sui Generis Uses
Theatres and opera houses |
Cinemas and multiplex cinemas |
Concert halls and music venues |
Nightclubs and dance halls |
Live music venues |
Change of Use Rules
Any change of use from a theatre, cinema, or concert hall to another use requires full planning permission.
Conversion to Class E (commercial) or C3 (residential) requires planning permission and may face strong opposition.
New theatres and cinemas require full planning permission.
Many theatres are listed buildings, requiring listed building consent in addition to planning permission.
Local authorities may apply cultural venue protection policies requiring evidence of marketing before permitting change of use.
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