Definition of material change of use

The meaning of material change of use is defined in the Building Regulations. The Buliding Regulations indicate that there may be a material change of use if the use has changed so that a building:

• is used as a dwelling, where previously it was not
• contains a flat, where previously it was not
• is used as a hotel or boarding house, where previously it was not
• is used as a institution, where previously it was not
• is used as a public building, where previously it was not
• is not an 'exempt building', where previously it was
• which contains at least one dwelling, contains a greater or lesser number of dwellings that it did previously.

The description above is a rough guide to when there may be a material change of use, it does not substitute the need for sound professional advice.

If are thinking about undertaking any development work that may involve a material change of use please contact us for free pre-application advice.