Overthrow the class system

Kemp, D

Overthrow the class system - 2002 - Estates Gazette (0215) 13 April 2002, 128-129(2) .

Discusses government plans to reform the Use Classes Order 1987, highlighting implications of the proposed changes. Explains the reasons for reform which originated from concern over four areas: the effect of use changes on residents' amenity; the 24-hour economy; inconsistency between recent government policy and the Use Classes Order; and the rules over temporary uses. Examines proposals for use class A (retail and leisure) and provides a comparison between the 1987 order and option 1 which reclassifies uses as follows: Aa - 'mixed retail' uses; Ab - restaurants and cafes; Ac - public houses, bars and nightclubs. Also looks at proposals for class B (industry) which include the removal of light industrial uses from the same use class as B1 offices and research and development in order to stop the rise of out-of-town office developments. Includes useful summary of key use class A and B proposals.


TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (USE CLASSES) ORDERS
CHANGE OF USE
CLASS A
CLASS B
PLANNING REFORM
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (USE CLASSES) ORDER 1987
PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS