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Prior Approval - Change of Use

Introduction

Only use this form if your proposal involves the change of use of a building (and its curtilage):

  • (a) from Office (B1a) to a dwelling (C3)
  • (b) from a business use (B1), from a hotel (C1), from a residential institution (C2), from a secure residential institution (C2A) or from assembly and leisure (D2) to a State-Funded School* or Registered Nursery**
  • (c) from agriculture to shop (A1), financial and professional service (A2), restaurant and cafe

What you need to submit

The list below details supporting documents that may need to be submitted as part of your application. Please refer to each section below in order to determine whether or not you need to submit it as part of your application.

Always required

You can either use the application form or provide a full written description of the proposed development. However, using the form will help ensure we have the correct information at the outset.

If you use the application form please ensure that you have completed every section of the application form before submitting. Where sections or questions are not relevant please state this on the form.

If you do not wish to use the form provided please ensure that you provide a written description of the proposed development including:

  • the developer's contact address
  • the developer's email address (optional)

Apply using

Please note: "Apply online" websites are provided by private companies who may charge additional fees for their services. Peterborough City Council offer no technical support for customers using these sites, if you encounter an issue please contact the relevant website service helpdesk. If you opt to download and complete the application form instead it is your responsibility to ensure that the forms, the appropriate supporting documentation and correct fee are sent to Peterborough City Council either by email or post.

Always required

For details of our planning fees please see the fee schedule.

You can now pay online directly to Peterborough City Council.

Always required

The application site boundary should be edged clearly with a red line. It should include all land necessary to carry out the proposed development.

Copyright information

Please be aware that plans based on Ordnance Survey data are Crown copyright and other plans and drawings are the copyright of their authors. The details of any applicable copyright should appear on the original plans concerned. Using copyright protected plans could result in legal action being taken against you by the copyright holder. You are advised to contact the copyright holder before using such plans in making any application.

Updated: March 2017
Status: National requirement
Source: Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended)

May be required

A plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development, drawn to an identified scale or with measurements (in metres).

Proposals submitted under classes M, N, O, P, PA and Q (i.e. those creating new dwellings) you must state:

  • the net increase in dwellinghouses proposed by the development

Status: Legislative requirement
Source: Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England)(Amendment) Order 2016 SI No.332

For applications to change the use:

  • from Office to Dwelling(s)
  • from an agricultural building

You need to provide details of any flooding risks on the site.

If the site is within Floodzone 2 or 3, OR the site is in Floodzone 1 and has critical drainage problems/surface water flooding problems, you must submit a Flood Risk Assessment.

You can establish which flood zone your site falls within by using our interactive map. Click on and expand the Flood Zones option to be able to shown this information on the map.

May be required in the case of the following;

Change of use from office to residential:-

  • For 50 _ 79 residential units please provide a transport statement
  • For 80+ units please provide a transport assessment

For change of use from agricultural building to A1 food retail where the cumulative floor space so changed is 250 square metres or more or for change of use to A3 restaurant/snack bar/café

May be required in the case of the following changes of use;

  • To a State-Funded School or Registered Nursery and
  • From an agricultural building to a flexible use

These details might include the location of the nearest noise sensitive properties (usually residences) to the site, details of any specific noisy equipment or machinery to be operated on the site, details of the proposed operating hours of the new use and details of any mitigation proposed. You will need to tailor this information according the particular use being applied for and the circumstances of the site and its surroundings.

Published: 23 January 2023