Prior Approval Granted for Two Dwellings in Rural Dover
Prior approval for the change of use of a B1(c) light industrial building to two residential dwellings in rural Dover, Kent, under permitted development rights.
DOVERKENTPRIOR APPROVAL SUCCESSES
Andrew Ransome
6/23/20262 min read
In 2018, prior approval was granted under Class PA permitted development rights for the conversion of a light industrial building in Woodnesborough, Kent to two residential dwellings.
The application was made using a new permitted development right introduced by the Government in October 2017, allowing B1(c) industrial buildings under 500 sq m to change to residential use subject to a prior approval assessment.
Prior Approval in Dover
A Class PA prior approval application was submitted and approved for the change of use of a light industrial building in Woodnesborough, Kent from Class B1(c) to two residential dwellings.
The application used a permitted development right introduced by the Government in October 2017, which allowed buildings in B1(c) light industrial use — and land within their curtilage — to change to residential use without a full planning application, subject to certain conditions and a prior approval assessment.
The key eligibility criteria for Class PA are that the existing floorspace must not exceed 500 sq m, the building must have been in Class B1(c) use on 19 March 2014 (or that must have been its most recent use), and the right does not apply to listed buildings or scheduled monuments.
Where these conditions are met, the local planning authority can only consider specified matters — principally transport and highways impacts, contamination risks, and flood risk — rather than assessing the full range of planning considerations that a conventional application would attract.
The prior approval route is a streamlined and efficient mechanism for unlocking residential conversions of redundant industrial buildings, bypassing many of the policy obstacles that would apply in a standard planning application.
The application for the rural Dover site was carefully prepared to demonstrate compliance with all eligibility criteria and to address the specified prior approval matters, and consent was granted.
This type of conversion offers a useful and commercially attractive route for owners of redundant B1(c) industrial premises.
Planning Application Advice
If you own or are considering acquiring a commercial building that may be suitable for residential conversion under the Prior Approval, I can advise on eligibility and manage the prior approval process. Get in touch to discuss your property.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Prior Approval Successes
Prior Approval Information
Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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