Our recent planning successes in Havering provide an interesting insight into Class MA in practice. The two projects were sensitive, as they sought the change of use via Class MA for 2 defunct GP surgeries. Given that the proposals sought the loss of two registered health centres and their replacement with 2 family sized dwellings – the potential impact of this on the wider community had to be carefully considered as part of the application process.
Class MA in practice, Use Class E to residential
The two sites were interesting and full of potential. Both located within residential areas, with ample parking to the front and gardens to the rear of each – the two buildings had previously been in residential use, before being converted to local GP surgeries. The properties also both benefited from good links to public transport systems and, given that they had previously been in use as dwellings, only internal alterations were proposed to restore the habitable spaces back to their former glory, with the addition of certain enhancements for modern family living.
Development under Class MA is permitted subject to the condition that before the beginning of development the developer must apply to their Local Planning Authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval will be required in regards to:
- transport and highways;
- contamination;
- flooding;
- noise;
- site designations;
- adequate natural light;
- impact on local services; and
- adherence to Paragraph W of the GPDO.
We successfully set out how the proposals met the provisions of Class MA through detailed planning statements and effective engagement with the case officer but, given that the proposals would result in the loss of NHS services, a formal assessment on this was required to support the application.
Planning considerately for local need
We, and our client, were concerned to ensure that the change in use of these two units from Class E to residential would have no negative impact on healthcare services in the immediate area. Indeed, the GP surgeries at both sites had been closed for several months and the patients had all been reallocated and registered to neighbouring practices. We also researched the number of available GP practices nearby, of which there were several. As a result, it was clear that the impacts in this instance were minimal. The case officer agreed with our assessment and conclusions, going so far as to say that as the surgeries were already closed, no further assessment was needed.
Prior approval was granted on both sites in a timely manner by the Local Planning Authority. And we are so pleased to see these empty, sizeable former dwellings return to their original use, bringing much needed quality and family sized housing to the area.
Recent changes to Class MA
Changes to Class MA came into effect on 5th March, which included amendments to Class MA to remove the requirement that a building must have been vacant for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately prior to the date of an application for prior approval. Additionally, the floorspace upper limit for buildings changing use under the right has also been removed. You can find out more about these changes and Class MA in general here.
About us
We are Plainview Planning, now part of McLoughlin Planning – a solutions orientated, experienced and knowledgeable team of planning consultants. If you need professional and informed planning support with your development project, then contact our team via enquiries@plainview.co.uk, or call us on 01242 501003, providing the site address and a brief overview of your project. We look forward to helping you.
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Resources
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024