Definition of Terms
Status
The Status describes the state of the ground floor unit at the time of survey stating whether the unit is i) Vacant ii) Being Redeveloped or iii) Under Refurbishment.
Use Class
The Use Class describes the use of each property according to: a) the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987; b) the Department of the Environment Circular 13/87, Changes of Use of Buildings and Other Land: The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 and c) the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) Order 1991.
The uses are grouped into distinct classes with broadly similar characteristics and impacts in planning terms. Planning permission is required to change between use classes i.e. from A1 Retail to A2 Financial and Professional Services (although changes between certain use classes will be allowed without the benefit of planning permission.)
(Note: Problems were encountered when surveyors attempted to classify the Use Class of some of the premises selling food. A number of outlets had been given planning permission for A1 use, but appeared to be moving towards a use closer to the description of A3, while others were definitely operating as an unauthorised A3 use. A decision was made to classify those premises that contained an A1 use which was moving towards A3 as A1? and to classify those premises which were definitely operating as an A3 use, but which was unauthorised and/or subject to enforcement as A3?).
