Here you'll learn when planning permission is required for a change in the use of land or buildings.
Last updated: 2 July 2025
All buildings and land fall under a planning use class (or are considered ‘sui generis’, a Latin term meaning ‘in a class of its own’). Use classes determine what a building or plot of land will be used for by its owner or occupier.
The Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 groups common uses of land and buildings into different categories, known as use classes. The uses within each class are, for planning purposes, considered to be broadly similar to one another.
A change of use of land or buildings will require planning permission if the change is considered ‘material’ (significant) in terms of its impact on the surrounding area. The local planning authority (LPA) decides whether or not a change of use is material but the general presumption is that a change from one use class to another or involving any sui generis use will constitute a material change of use (sui generis applies when a use of land and buildings does not fall within the standard defined use classes).
Planning permission is not needed when both the present and proposed uses fall within the same class (movement from one use to another within the same use class is not considered to be development). For example, there are 3 different uses within Class B1 ‘Business’ and changes between them are allowed to take place without the need for planning permission.
There are also certain permitted development rights that allow for some changes of use to occur between different use classes without having to apply for planning permission.
The change of use of land or buildings has the potential to harm wildlife if impacts aren’t properly assessed and mitigated against.
Check planning applications to ensure that any changes in use are being carefully considered and assessed. You should contact the LPA as soon as you can if you have any comments or concerns.
The Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015
The Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 (Changes of use are covered in Part 4 of the Schedule outlining development permitted under Article 3)