Summary of the latest Permitted Development changes - May 30th 2013. 

This is yet another new class which sets up a flexible temporary change of use regime. It allows the change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from Class A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, D1 or D2 use, to a ‘flexible use’ falling within Classes A1, A2, A3, or B1 for a continuous period of up to 2 years.

This PD allowance can only be exercised once and there is a maximum floorspace limit of 150m² - which may be part of a building. Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments are excluded.

Before carrying out a change under Class D, the developer must notify the LPA of the proposed use and the date that it will commence. Only one use in the specified list may be carried out at any one time and the LPA must be advised in advance of any change to another of the flexible uses within the 2 year period. As this is a temporary change, the premises concerned retain their lawful use throughout the period when the flexible use is in place and will revert to that lawful use at the expiry of the 2 year period, or when the flexible use ceases.