Borough of Poole: Darryl Howells has secured prior approval for the conversion of a warehouse used ancillary to a retail unit (Use Class A1), into two 2-bedroom townhouses. The client instructed Brightspace Architects to draw up the proposed development, but instructed Darryl to prepare the application, submit it and negotiate on the scheme. The proposed development was submitted using the prior approval route under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class M of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended).
The considerations before the Local Planning Authority when assessing this type of application are different to those if submitted as a planning application. In this case, the town houses were accepted without any on site car parking or amenity space. The policy justification that Darryl submitted was fully accepted and prior approval granted under delegated powers.
If you have a commercial unit, you may want to consider maximising its revenue by changing its use to residential. If interested, pleased contact Pure Town Planning for a free initial consultation to find out what might be possible.