Chiltern District Council: Pure Town Planning are pleased to a have received prior approval in respect of a permitted development office (Use Class B1(a)) to residential (Use Class C3) conversion in Chalfont St Peter. The approved scheme showed a conversion to 19 flats.

The site was previously partly a petrol filling station prior to development of offices in the 1980s and as such contamination risk was a concern. This is one of the four key aspects the Council can take into account in making a prior determination approval under Part 3 Class O of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). The others are transport or highway impacts, flood risks and noise impact on the future occupants.

The prior approval was granted with conditions which required a more detailed investigation of any contamination possibility on the site. Councils are able to grant prior approvals subject to conditions similar to planning applications and often represent a pragmatic way of dealing with such matters – particularly as they have to issue their decision within 56 days or the development can be undertaken regardless.

There are still plenty of Use Class B1(a) offices out there suitable for conversion to residential. If you have such an office or have a building in storage and distribution (Use Class B8), light industrial (Use Class B1(c)) or agricultural use why not speak to Pure Town Planning about the possibility of the permitted development change of use to residential?